Tyler Eifert out Sunday for Cincinnati Bengals

Tyler Eifert will not play on Sunday for the Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 15 game versus the San Francisco 49ers with a concussion.

According to Cincinnati Bengals beat writer for Cox Media Group Jay Morrison, the Bengals will not have the services of their star tight end Tyler Eifert in Sunday’s Week 15 game versus the San Francisco 49ers.

The Bengals have been one of the more dominant teams in the NFL the season. At 10-3, Cincinnati leads the Pittsburgh Steelers by two games in the AFC North and are very much alive in getting a first round bye in the 2015 AFC Playoffs.

The problem with the Bengals is that they are dealing with some major injuries to what was an undeniably complete football team. Starting quarterback Andy Dalton broke his thumb in Week 14’s loss to the Steelers is likely out for the next four to six weeks.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron will have to start for Cincinnati in the final three weeks and possibly in the Wild Card round of the AFC Playoffs, as Dalton won’t be back until at least the Divisional Round. No former Alabama quarterback has started an NFL game and won it since 1988.

The Eifert concussion takes away a good security blanket for McCarron in the passing game, as the Bengals will want to beat San Francisco to stay afloat in the AFC Playoff picture. After San Francisco, the Bengals’ final two games are at Denver and at home versus division rival Baltimore. Should Cincinnati drop a game, they may not get a first round bye over New England or Denver. If they drop all three, they might miss the playoffs entirely at 10-6.