Ryan Fitzpatrick will make his second start of the season at quarterback for the Bengals on Sunday against the New York Jets in the place of injured franchise quarterback Carson Palmer, head coach Marvin Lewis said on Friday.

Palmer didn't practice on Friday, and Lewis said his status beyond not starting has not been determined.

"We'll see how Carson is on Sunday, but Ryan will start the game," Lewis said following Friday's practice.

Palmer has been bothered by a sore elbow since the team's last trip to New Jersey, a loss to the Giants. In that game on Sept. 21, Palmer was hit by Corey Webster sacked him to end their first offensive series of the game. Palmer finished the game, and played his best game of the season in the 26-23 overtime loss.

Fitzpatrick started the next game, Sept. 28, at home against the Browns, a 20-12 loss to the Browns. In that game, Fitzpatrick was 21 of 35 for 156 yards, three interceptions and a touchdown.

"Yeah, I feel great right now. I think being able to digest the game plan and having three full days of practice," Fitzpatrick said. "I got that first game out of my way. I've been there in a live rush situation, I'm going to be smarter with the ball and stay within myself and the offense. I'm excited to play."

Lewis was incredulous when asked if Palmer's injury was season-ending -- "It's no different than what it was," he said of Palmer's injury.

Lewis was then asked if Palmer's status was going to be a week-to-week situation.

"Hopefully not, we're trying to get it out of being a week-to-week thing," Lewis said. "We're trying to get it calmed down to where it doesn't give him any irritation or problems at all."

The Bengals traded for Fitzpatrick following last season’s preseason. His only game action in 2007 came as a holder on a PAT in the season-opener, as Palmer played every offensive snap for the Bengals last season.

Each of the last two weeks, Palmer participated only in the running game parts of practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Last Friday he participated fully in practice, but this Friday he did not practice at all.

"We didn't have Carson do anything today, he just did his rehab," Lewis said.

Fitzpatrick said he felt confident he'd be starting this week, even though Palmer played against Dallas last Sunday.

"I had a feeling throughout the week. Just the way his elbow was feeling, just the communication between us," Fitzpatrick said. "Really, Wednesday and Thursday was the same as last week for me, with the difference being today was my day to go out and there and practice as well."

Fitzpatrick said he's more comfortable with the gameplan this week than he was two weeks ago against Cleveland, when Palmer practiced on Wednesday and Thursday, but not Friday.

"(I've) just (have to) stay within myself, we have enough playmakers on this team that it’s going to happen naturally in the game. Especially with the four wide-outs we've got going in this game with Slim back and Tone playing well and obviously Chad and T.J.," Fitzpatrick said, referring to wide receivers Chris Henry, Antonio Chatman, Chad Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. "I'm excited to go out there and play with these guys. It's clicked a little bit the last few weeks, but one of these times we're really going to be firing on all cylinders and hopefully we can get it figured out this week."

Fitzpatrick will also get a chance to play against his favorite quarterback growing up, Jets starter Brett Favre.

"If you're playing or not, when you're against Brett Favre, it's fun to watch him," Fitzpatrick said. "He's been playing for a long, long time. I think I was probably 9 years old when he started, somewhere around there. I'm really excited just to see him play and do his thing."

Of course, he could be busy during the game.

"I might be looking at some stuff, I'm not going to lie, I'm going to be peaking at the JumboTron every now and then, too," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick didn't have a Favre poster or jersey as a kid, but his little brother did have a Favre Packers jersey.

"There was a Favre jersey in the house," said Fitzpatrick, an Arizona native. "I was more of a Jake Plummer guy – ASU."

Palmer isn't the only Bengal hurting, kicker Shayne Graham hasn't practiced the last two days and the team is bringing in kickers this afternoon. Graham said before practice he still expects to kick on Sunday, but Lewis said the team may sign someone to handle kickoff duties. Defensive tackle John Thornton didn't practice because of a lower leg injury, which could mean the debut of third-round draft pick Pat Sims.