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Andy Dalton injury update: Expected to miss 4-6 weeks

By David Rouben

Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks on from the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks on from the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Andy Dalton could miss the rest of the regular season.

Bengals fans hoping to see a first playoff win since 1990 may have to wait a little longer. After exiting against the Steelers in the first quarter, it was earlier reported that Andy Dalton would be back by Week 17. However, ESPN’s Ed Werder has now reported the timetable may be closer to 4-6 weeks.

The earliest Dalton could return is by the wild-card round, but the Bengals’ next three weeks are critical in determining where they are seeded for the start of the playoffs. They have a very winnable game against the 49ers coming up, but then they have to travel to Denver to take on the Broncos before a crucial divisional game in Week 17 against the Ravens. With the surging Steelers right behind them, the Bengals will desperately want to win the division and host a playoff game or get a first-round bye rather than being forced to play the wild-card game on the road.

This is the biggest test for former Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron. While he did throw two picks, he finished the day with 280 yards and 2 touchdowns, the best of which was a 66-yard pass to a fellow AJ in A.J. Green. The Bengals have good enough offensive weapons to help McCarron get through these three weeks, but every game should be treated as a must-win for Cincinnati from here on out.

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