(AP) — Carson Palmer finally is able to throw the football again, and the Arizona quarterback is aiming for a return next week when the Cardinals play the Broncos in Denver.

Palmer had not been able to throw the ball since pinching a nerve in his throwing shoulder when he was slammed into the ground during Arizona's season-opening victory over San Diego.

He says that Monday morning he could feel the nerve responding. Palmer threw passes of about 10 yards in practice on Wednesday. He plans to throw a little more each day over the coming bye week and "be firing on all cylinders" by at least next Wednesday.

In Palmer's absence, backup Drew Stanton directed the Cardinals to wins over the New York Giants and San Francisco.

(AP) — For the first time in his career, Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden is facing questions about his play on the field.

"I'm one of my biggest critics and I know that I haven't been playing up to my ability," Haden said. "I'm down, I feel like I could play better. I know I could play better."

The latest example: In Cleveland's 23-21 loss on Sunday to the Ravens, Haden allowed a 32-yard catch by veteran wide receiver Steve Smith late in the fourth quarter, setting up Baltimore's game-winning field goal.

"It was unfortunate that it happened because we're in a bottom-line business," Browns coach Mike Pettine said. "Joe, for the most part throughout the game, played very well."

"That's life in the NFL."

And cornerback is one of the most bottom-line positions in the sport.

Either you make the right play or you make a wide receiver look great.

"Being in man-to-man press, you've got to be ready for the ball to come at you at all times," Haden said. "You can play linebacker and miss a gap a little bit. You can play D-tackle and get moved out of your gap. You're at corner, every single play matters."

And when you're considered one of the best corners in the league, any mistakes you make are amplified.

But Haden has already faced some of the top receivers this season.

In addition to Smith's 101-yard day last week, the Steelers' Antonio Brown had 116 yards and a score against the Browns in Week 1. And Saints tight end Jimmy Graham scored on Haden in Week 2.

If Haden, in his fifth season, is going to remain one of the best corners in the league, he'll have to play his best in the key moments of games.

"He's played well at times, but as you can see, at some inopportune times he's not played well," Pettine said. "I think he'll admit that as well. That's what we talk about. The great ones are going to make big plays when it's needed, and I think that's one area where Joe will look to improve."

Haden echoes his coach's sentiment, and trusts things will turn around.

"I want to be great," he said. "I just need to keep working hard and those plays are going to come. It's nothing mysterious that I need to do differently."

But with Haden, there is a greater degree of accountability that takes place.

"We hold him accountable, but to say he's not playing like everybody thinks he should, I don't want to say that just yet," secondary coach Jeff Hafley said. "I think he's doing some really, really good things, but we've got to hold him accountable."

"He's in for 69 snaps. For 64 plays, he's taking away the best receiver on the other team. What everybody's seeing is three balls caught here and there. Unfortunately, they haven't been in very good times."

Still, the Browns are just three games into the season, and they've also had to contend with three Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks right off the bat.

Despite the slow start, Haden isn't about to let it change who he is as a player.

"I'm not panicking. I know my ability and I trust in my ability."

NOTES: QB Connor Shaw (illness) wasn't at practice Wednesday. ... Craig Robertson missed practice for the birth of his child. ... Pettine said there are no immediate plans to move on from long snapper Christian Yount, though the situation is still being evaluated. ... Wide receivers coach Mike McDaniel spoke with reporters after practice, saying he talks to suspended WR Josh Gordon often. "He does want to be great. He truly does," McDaniel said. "I'm just supportive of the stuff that he's going through and the stuff he's learning because he's just learning on the fly how to be an adult and an NFL player within the confines of our league."

(AP) — Danny Woodhead was many things to the San Diego Chargers — running back, receiver, leader, hard worker and popular teammate.

Now he's out for the season, having broken his lower right leg in a 22-10 victory at Buffalo on Sunday.

"He means a lot to the organization," coach Mike McCoy said Monday. "His love for the game, the way he plays, his love for his teammates, the way he practices, great to be around. He's one of the first guys in the building. He only knows how to do it one way. He's a true professional. We're going to miss him but we've got to move on."

Woodhead was hurt on the first drive Sunday. He was stopped after a 1-yard gain by diving defensive tackle Kyle Williams. Williams hit Woodhead directly in the right ankle, which appeared to twist underneath the player.

"It's a brutal business and it's tough and injuries are a part of the game, unfortunately," McCoy said. "But it means so much to him. That's the toughest thing. The first thing he said to me after the game was, 'Coach, don't worry. I'll be back and I'll be back stronger than ever. I promise that.' I can't wait to get him back out here."

Woodhead was lost one week after Ryan Mathews sprained his right knee in a victory against the Seattle Seahawks. Mathews will be out for several weeks.

McCoy said he and general manager Tom Telesco would decide Monday how to go about adding a running back.

Donald Brown, who carried 31 times for 62 yards, and rookie Branden Oliver are the only healthy backs on the roster.

"It's next man up, and Donald showed he can do that," McCoy said. "He did an outstanding job with a number of touches. He didn't want to come out of the game."

Brown was signed in part because of Mathews' injury history.

"My mindset hasn't changed," Brown said. "You always prepare like you're going to start and get all the reps because you never know what's going to happen. Be prepared for any and every situation."

Brown said it was "definitely a bummer" to see Woodhead get hurt.

"You see a guy work hard, day in and day out, love the game, just a phenomenal teammate, you hate to see a guy like that go down," Brown said.

The Chargers (2-1) host the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3), who have been outscored 119-44 and will be giving rookie Blake Bortles his first start. Bortles took over for Chad Henne at halftime of a 44-17 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday.