Carson Palmer Injury: Updates on Raiders QB's Ribs

Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer was forced out of the first half of the team's matchup at the Carolina Panthers in Week 16 after suffering a rib injury according to the team's official Twitter account:

"

QB Carson Palmer has a rib injury, his return is questionable.

— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) December 23, 2012"

UPDATE: Sunday, December 30 at 1:19 p.m. ET by Brian Mazique

ESPN's Adam Schefter gave the news that Palmer is indeed lost for the season:

"

Raiders HC Dennis Allen said QB Carson Palmer has cracked ribs and a bruised lung and will not play again this season.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 24, 2012"

---End of Update--

UPDATE: Monday, December 24 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Matt Leinart or Terrelle Pryor will finally get to start.

Paul Gutierrez of Comcast SportsNet reported that Carson Palmer's rib injury is serious enough that he will not be able to suit up against the San Diego Chargers next Sunday.

"

"Cracked ribs and a bruised lung" shown on CT scan for #Raiders QB Carson Palmer

— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezCSN) December 24, 2012"

"

#CarsonPalmer's season over

— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezCSN) December 24, 2012"

While the Raiders would've been underdogs vs. the Chargers regardless, at 4-11, Oakland would be better off losing to lock up the third overall pick in the draft anyway.

---END OF UPDATE---

UPDATE: Sunday, December 23 at 2:40 p.m. ET 

The Raiders got more bad news with Palmer, as the team is reporting that the quarterback will not return to today's game against Carolina. 

"

QB Carson Palmer and S Tyvon Branch will also not return.

— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) December 23, 2012"

As of this writing, the Raiders were already trailing 14-3 and had just 99 yards of total offense early in the third quarter. Palmer was 3-for-3 with 31 yards before leaving the game with the injury. 

---END OF UPDATE---

Palmer's X-rays were negative but his return remains a question mark according to the team's Twitter account:

"

QB Carson Palmer's X-rays were negative, but his return is still questionable.

— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) December 23, 2012"

Palmer completed 3-of-3 passes for 31 yards before leaving the contest. Matt Leinart replaced him as the starter under center.

Surprisingly, Palmer is actually one of the NFL's top passers in terms of yardage this season despite the Raiders' immense struggles. He came into Week 16's matchup with the Panthers with over 3,900 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Palmer is owned in roughly 73 percent of all ESPN fantasy football leagues, so this injury could potentially impact some championship fantasy matchups this weekend.

The Raiders rank seventh in the NFL in passing offense this season thanks to Palmer, but most of their yards have come in garbage time as they are just 4-10 through 14 games.

Keep it right here for the latest updates on Carson Palmer's status as they become available. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.