Carson Palmer (right) talks with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on the sideline during Sunday's win over the Giants in New York.

Carson Palmer is trying everything he can to get the bad nerve in his throwing shoulder to respond.

There's been electric stimulation and ice, massage, acupuncture, even dry needling, "which isn't fun," the veteran quarterback said. Nothing has worked quite yet. Someone even joked if he'd tried witchcraft.

"If you know of something, let me know," Palmer said.

Palmer's status to play against the 49ers remains the giant unknown for the Cardinals. He isn't there yet. He was limited Wednesday. During the open portion of practice, Palmer was doing footwork drills with

Stanton and third-stringer Logan Thomas, but while Stanton and Thomas would finish with a throw, Palmer just tucked the football under his arm.

The injury occurred in the season opener against the Chargers, when he took on safety Eric Weddle on a scramble and collided with his shoulder. Palmer said he got hurt not when he hit Weddle but when he hit the ground.

Palmer is hopeful he can still play against San Francisco. He said progress is being made, and he has been able to throw a little.

"I wish I had a concrete answer or somebody knew exactly what to do to wake it up, but that's not known," Palmer said. "It's just time. The only answer is time, and I'm hoping it doesn't take any more time."

Palmer said he has spent so much time getting his shoulder worked on, he is often getting only five hours of sleep.

It leaves Palmer's status unclear at best. Coach Bruce Arians said the Cardinals will continue as they did last week, hoping for the best and with the understanding that Palmer could play Sunday with a limited amount of practice.

"You don't change what you do," Arians said. "You just put the gameplan in to beat the other team. There is nothing that Drew

can't do that Carson can. It's not like we have a running quarterback and a drop-back quarterback in that sense. That makes it fairly easy in terms of gameplanning."

"That's why Drew's a valuable asset to the team," center Lyle Sendlein said. "Because he can step in there and be able to run everything that the coaches put in the game plan for Carson. Nothing changes.

Stanton said having a start in hand helps because now the first-stringers know what he can do and what a huddle is like when he is in charge.

"It was good to get that experience," Stanton said.

In the meantime, Stanton likely will get most of the practice work, and Palmer keeps his fingers crossed his problem will heal.

"It's been very time-consuming, it's been very costly, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes," Palmer said.

ABRAHAM BACK, BUT WAITING

Linebacker John Abraham was back at practice Wednesday, but only as a spectator. He rode a bike during the open portion of practice. He failed his concussion test Tuesday, and Arians said a player must wait 48 hours before he can be tested again.

"We'll wait for the next one, and see how he's doing," Arians said.

ELLINGTON HAS HIS WEDNESDAY REST

Running back Andre Ellington had his usual rest at practice Wednesday, but Arians said the hope is that Ellington could be able to practice some Thursday with his sore foot.

"I thought he was more decisive (Sunday) and now that he's got a game under his belt and knew what to expect as far as pain in his foot," Arians said.

Defensive end Frostee Rucker (calf) and linebacker Alex Okafor (thigh) also did not practice.

Running back Jonathan Dwyer did not practice and has been deactivated from all team activities after an assault arrest on Wednesday.

Linebacker Larry Footer (shoulder) and punter Dave Zastudil (groin) were limited.

For the 49ers, tight end Vernon Davis (ankle, knee) highlighted a handful of players sitting out. Also not practicing Wednesday were cornerback Tremaine Brock (toe), tackle Anthony Davis (hamstring), center Marcus Martin (knee), tight end Vance McDonald (knee) and defensive end Justin Smith (non-injury reasons). Tackle Joe Staley (knee) was limited.