CINCINNATI (AP) -Carson Palmer didn't bother to watch the Pro Bowl last February.

Instead, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback spent the day attending to the knee injury that had ended his playoffs after one pass and prevented him from attending that game in Hawaii.

Against all odds, he's getting another chance one year later.

Palmer is one of three Bengals picked again this week for the Pro Bowl, the final touch on a comeback that has surpassed expectations. Less than a year after his knee was rebuilt, Palmer is again ranked among the NFL's best.

``It's definitely rewarding,'' Palmer said Wednesday. ``I'll find it far more rewarding if we get past Denver and Pittsburgh and get to the playoffs. I'm definitely honored. Until I get there and actually get the Pro Bowl uniform - I'll know what it's like and I'll have a different feeling, I'm sure.''

Palmer was still dejected on Wednesday, two days after a 34-16 loss in Indianapolis knocked the Bengals back into the pack of wild card contenders. Cincinnati is in a four-way tie at 8-6 heading into a make-or-break game at Denver (8-6) followed by a game at home against Pittsburgh.

Palmer didn't fully participate in practice Wednesday because of a sore throwing shoulder, but was expected to do all the passing drills on Thursday. It's the first time he has been on the team's injury report this season.

He was sacked four times and hit hard several other times on Monday night. The Bengals said there was nothing structurally wrong with the shoulder.

Palmer said he was fine, except for the leftover feeling that he hadn't played up to expectations.

``I was obviously honored (by the Pro Bowl selection), but felt like I didn't deserve it after the way I played Monday night,'' Palmer said. ``It was just an awkward feeling.''

It was one of the few awkward moments in his season.

Palmer tore the anterior cruciate ligament, shredded another ligament and dislocated his kneecap when Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffen hit the left knee during his first pass in the playoffs.

He was one month into rehabilitation when the Pro Bowl was played in Hawaii on Feb. 12. At that point, no one could say for sure how long it would take Palmer to get back onto the field, then back into Pro Bowl form.

He was ready for the start of the regular season, but struggled to regain his touch. The defending AFC North champions lost five of six, and a once-fearsome offense lost its punch.

Halfway through the season, the old Palmer was back.

Even with his disappointing showing on Monday night, Palmer ranks fifth in the NFL with a 96.9 passer rating and is two touchdown passes behind Peyton Manning for the league lead with 24.

Once his teammates saw that he was back, they expected him to play at a Pro Bowl level.

``If Carson is healthy, he's going to make the Pro Bowl every year because he's considered one of the best,'' receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh said. ``Once people consider you one of the best, just off your name you'll go if you play halfway decent. If you play the way he's playing, you're guaranteed to go.''

Right tackle Willie Anderson and receiver Chad Johnson also were picked for the Pro Bowl, the fourth time for both. Given what he's been through, Palmer's selection was the one that stood out to coach Marvin Lewis.

``To come back from the injury he had last year and return to the Pro Bowl level, that's just a great tribute to him, not only to his talent but to the work he put in,'' Lewis said.

Anderson also admires the way Palmer has handled himself throughout his comeback season.

``When times have gone bad, the first thing he says is, 'My fault,''' Anderson said. ``Well, we all know it wasn't his fault. The great guys do that. The great guys take that pressure off other guys.

``That's why we all want him to succeed so much, because he is that kind of guy. That's a guy you go out and play hurt for and spend extra hours trying to find ways to protect him.''

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