The Cincinnati Bengals hoping to secure the AFC North in a divisional clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a huge loss when quarterback Andy Dalton suffered a fractured right thumb towards the tail end of the opening drive.
The Bengals also lost Tyler Eifert on the same drive as he left the game to get checked out for a concussion. On the play that Dalton was injured he also turned the ball over as Dalton threw an interception close to the end zone. With a fractured thumb it is likely that Dalton will miss a lot more time than just next week's game.
Currently it is unknown just how long he will be out for but the standard recovery time for a broken thumb is 3-6 weeks meaning Dalton could potentially be back for the playoffs. Dalton is seeing a specialist on Monday to figure out the length of his recovery time.
Backup quarterback AJ McCarron who has barely seen the field managed to throw for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns. McCarron also threw two interceptions that helped keep the Bengals out of the game. McCarron showed some talent and will likely be sharper with a weeks' worth of practice with the starting offense.
