Bengals rule out Andy Dalton, will start A.J. McCarron versus Steelers

Nov 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) reacts to throwing a pass to wide receiver A.J. Green (not pictured) for a touchdown in the first half against the St. Louis Rams at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cincinnati Bengals will enter the NFL playoffs with back-up quarterback A.J. McCarron under center after ruling out Andy Dalton for the Wild Card round.

The Cincinnati Bengals are 5-13 all-time in the postseason and have lost in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs each of their last six attempts. Needless to say, the Bengals are a team that could use all the luck they can muster if they want their first playoff win since 1990.

Well, lady luck doesn’t appear to be shining on Cincinnati these days.

Starting quarterback Andy Dalton fractured his thumb four weeks ago and was originally given a 4-6 week timetable for his return, which gave Bengals fans hope that he would be available for the Wild Card round. Unfortunately, it appears as though those fans will have to put their hopes on A.J. McCarron as Cincinnati has officially ruled out Dalton for the first round, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Bengals officially ruled out Andy Dalton, so A.J. McCarron, as expected, to start against Steelers
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 8, 2016

McCarron started three games for the Bengals in Dalton’s absence, leading Cincinnati to a 2-1 record in the process. The second year quarterback was surprisingly efficient when under center this season, completing 79 of 119 passes (66.4%) for 854 yards, six touchdowns, and a pair of picks. Those two interceptions came against Pittsburgh, when he relieved the injured Dalton on December 13th.

Of course, the Steelers are not without their own injuries. Pittsburgh will be without DeAngelo Williams on Saturday. The two teams will meet at 7:15 PM Eastern in Cincinnati.

Home/Cincinnati Bengals