The Cincinnati Bengals may have lost starting quarterback Andy Dalton for the remainder of the regular season on Sunday as he told the media after his team’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that he suffered a fractured thumb on his throwing hand.
Dalton, who suffered the injury in the first quarter while tackling Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt after he intercepted a short pass intended for running back Giovani Bernard, indicated after the game that he was scheduled to see a hand specialist on Monday to determine what will transpire next.
If Dalton’s thumb injury requires surgery, he might wind up missing the Bengals last three games of the season. Regardless, Dalton will be out next week when the Bengals play the San Francisco 49ers on the road. Backup A.J. McCarron will start in the place of Dalton until he’s able to return. McCarron completed 22 of 32 pass attempts for 280 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions against the Steelers in relief of Dalton.
The Bengals are now 10-3 after Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. After playing the 49ers next week, they will close out their 2015 season with games against the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers will close out their season with games against the Broncos, Ravens and Cleveland Browns.
