CINCINNATI (AP) - Andy Dalton has never spoken to Carson Palmer, the quarterback he replaced last year. Coach Marvin Lewis has limited interactions with his former franchise player to a few texts.

There's not a whole lot for the Bengals to say about their awkward reunion coming up Sunday.

Palmer brings his struggling Oakland Raiders to Paul Brown Stadium for a get-together that neither side really embraces. The Bengals mostly shrug when talking about their former leader. Palmer called it an exciting homecoming during a conference call with Cincinnati writers on Wednesday.

Cincinnati traded Palmer to the Raiders midway through last season.

For the Bengals, it's less about Palmer and more about the playoffs. They're 5-5 after winning their last two games, now only one game out of a wild-card spot.

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