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Arians expects Palmer, Fitzgerald to return next season

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals are still waiting for Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald to decide whether they'll continue their playing careers, but head coach Bruce Arians is confident his offense will remain intact in 2017.

While Arians said neither player has made anything official with the team, he believes the quarterback and wide receiver will be back "when the juices start flowing and the injuries go away."

"I've spoken to Carson and Larry every week since the season," Arians said Tuesday, according to Kent Somers of azcentral.com. "Neither one has come to a decision. It's up to them. I feel comfortable with where they're at and what's going to happen. Like everybody else, got my fingers crossed. I think when the juices start flowing and the injuries go away, they'll both be back. But there's nothing to confirm yet."

Fitzgerald said Tuesday his announcement on his future will happen "pretty soon," while Palmer said last week he aims to return if his body sufficiently recovers from a grueling 2016 season.

"He (Palmer) got the hell beat out of him this year," Arians said, "but that's my job to make sure I protect him more, if and when he comes back."

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