The Cincinnati Bengals have lost Andy Dalton to a thumb injury, but the quarterback does not need surgery and could return for the playoffs this season. Tyler Eifert also went down against the Steelers on Sunday with a concussion and he could be out in Week 15 as AJ McCarron takes over to start for the injured Dalton against the 49ers.
Dalton injured his hand while trying to make a tackle after an interception on Sunday and initial reports had the quarterback out for the rest of the season. Dalton had tests done on his finger and Pro Football Talk reported that the thumb injury will not require surgery, meaning Dalton potentially could return for the Bengals. Head coach Marvin Lewis said that Dalton is "week-to-week" with the injury and while he likely will be ready for the playoffs, there is a chance he could return for the final week of the season.
Lewis said on Tuesday that Dalton "very likely" will play again this season and that it's "up to us (the Bengals)" to make that happen. Dalton had been putting up MVP-like numbers this season for the Bengals and now the team is simply hoping he can heal up and return for the playoffs. While the Bengals likely will make the postseason, the team has not yet clinched and with the Steelers winning on Sunday over Cincinnati, the team will be looking to bounce back against the struggling 49ers.
According to Pro Football Talk, the "best case scenario" for Dalton would be a return for Week 17 of the season, but it's more likely that if he returns, it will be for the playoffs. NBC sports medicine analyst Mike Ryan said that Dalton will "need to build muscles back up once the bone has healed" and that could keep him out for the duration of the regular season. The Bengals have the Broncos in Week 16 and that game could be huge for AFC playoff position and it looks like McCarron will be starting that game as well.
The Bengals also have Tyler Eifert dealing with an injury, as the tight end suffered a concussion on Sunday against the Steelers. Eifert previously missed a game with a neck injury and now the concussion could keep him out of the lineup in Week 15. Eifert will be going through the concussion protocol and if he does not clear it by the end of the week, the Bengals will have Tyler Kroft as an option at tight end for McCarron. Jeremy Hill is a solid start option for the playoffs and could put up some nice numbers against the 49ers.
McCarron threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns against the Steelers after coming in for Dalton and now he will get his first start for the team against the 49ers. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said that the team will not be changing up the offense for McCarron and that he can handle the game plan moving forward.
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