THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CINCINNATI -- Quarterback Carson Palmer considers his throwing elbow fully healed as he begins off-season workouts with his Cincinnati Bengals teammates.

Palmer chose not to have reconstructive surgery for a partially torn ligament and tendon in his right elbow, which sidelined him for 12 games last season. Instead, he decided to see whether rest would heal the injury.

Before beginning voluntary workouts on Monday, Palmer said he is back to his usual throwing routine because the elbow is fine. The team plans to limit his throwing during the workouts as a precaution.

"I was timid at first," Palmer said of his decision to rest the elbow instead of having so-called "Tommy John" surgery. "I was kind of going against a bunch of doctors and relying on one and what he said, and it turned out he was right.

"It's 100 per cent and I'm healthy and I'm happy. Had I gone the other way, I don't know when I'd be able to throw again, but it wouldn't be now."

Palmer has been throwing three times a week near his home in southern California. Several of the Bengals' young receivers have joined him for the sessions, including Jerome Simpson, a second-round draft pick last year.

"I saw that old Carson Palmer I used to look at when I was younger," Simpson said. "He has that strong arm, and he's just throwing the ball around and having fun. There was some zip on it. He overthrew me one time, and I hadn't seen that for a long time. I was surprised, but it showed me he's getting back to the old Carson now."

Palmer's younger brother, Jordan, is a backup Bengals quarterback and worked out with him at the sessions in California. Jordan Palmer was reminded of how his brother overcame injuries in the past, including a severe knee injury in the 2005 playoffs that required reconstructive surgery. Palmer's left knee was hurt on his first pass in a playoff loss to Pittsburgh, but he didn't miss any games in 2006.

"It's in his nature," Jordan Palmer said. "And that's why he's the man. He's ready to roll, and I think he'll be back and stronger than ever. I think he's really excited about this year. It was important for him to come into it healthy, and that's where he is now."

Palmer's next step is to get his timing back with a receiving corps that has undergone change. T.J. Houshmandzadeh left for Seattle as a free agent and was replaced by Laveranues Coles. Receiver Chad Ocho Cinco was the only Bengals receiver who missed the voluntary workout on Monday.

"I'm not worried about him," Palmer said. "I'm worried about the guys we have here."