With Cincinnati Bengals starter Andy Dalton still on the mend, the team is preparing backup AJ McCarron to start in this Saturday night’s playoff clash with the Steelers, a source close to the team told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Dalton injured his right thumb in a week 14 loss in Pittsburgh and has yet to return to the playing field. Despite the cast potentially being removed from his hand today, team doctors haven’t given him the green light to play this weekend.
That means AJ McCarron will start his fourth game for Cincinnati. His first three went well, throwing for 832 yards, six touchdowns and no picks. Though he struggled in his first appearance against Pittsburgh, he’s confident he can rebound.
“I feel like I am finally getting some reps, know the offense a little bit more and am more used to it. I’ve been trying to take care of the football and being thrown in that game, I didn’t.”
He’ll have to be better than good to keep pace with Pittsburgh’s 3rd ranked offense coming to town in a win or go home game.
