By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Carson Palmer, struggling in his first season as a starting NFL quarterback, takes comfort in the challenges some of the game's greatest quarterbacks faced early in their careers.

The Bengals play Dallas on Sunday. The opponent this week brings to Palmer's mind the reality of what his boyhood idol, Troy Aikman, went through in 11 starts as a rookie for the Cowboys in 1989.

The Cowboys were 1-15. Aikman threw nine touchdowns and 18 interceptions and had a low passer rating of 55.7.

"I got a note from Troy before the year and talked to guys like Boomer (Esiason), and you talk to guys from around the league and they just say, 'Keep fighting, keep your head up.' "

The Cowboys won three Super Bowls in Aikman's first seven NFL seasons. But he started on the bottom. Palmer, with twice as many interceptions as touchdown passes through seven games, knows the feeling.

"I think all quarterbacks do relate to going through tough times, because it is tough at first," Palmer said. "You're in a lot of situations that you've never been in before, and at times, you can feel like you're in over your head."

Aikman threw for 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns from 1989-2000.

Palmer might put up those kinds of numbers some day. But for now, he deals with the frustration by moving on to the next game.

"Of course, last game, a million thoughts go through your head and you can't sleep for the next two nights," he said of his two-turnover loss at Tennessee. "You can't wait to get to Wednesday to put in that next game plan to start thinking about something else."

HE'S BACK: The Bengals re-signed defensive tackle Greg Scott to their practice squad.

He had been signed to the 53-man roster last week and played briefly against Tennessee.

The Bengals signed former Houston defensive end Terrance Martin to the 53-man roster Wednesday, but he remained questionable with a finger injury suffered in the opening minutes of practice Wednesday. Martin did not practice Thursday.

INJURY UPDATE: The only change on the injury report from Wednesday was that cornerback Rashad Bauman (Achilles) was downgraded to doubtful.

The only other player listed as doubtful was defensive lineman Carl Powell (knee), who missed a second consecutive day of practice.

PERRY WATCH: Look for rookie running back Chris Perry to get some work against Dallas Sunday. He practiced for the second consecutive day and remains probable with an abdominal strain. Perry has just five touches (three receptions, two rushes) in two games. He has missed the previous two games with the injury.

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