Bengals QB Andy Dalton Unlikely To Be Back Until Second Round Of Playoffs

Ian Rapoport reports that Bengals QB Andy Dalton is still a few weeks away from returning from a broken thumb.

According to Rapoport, Dalton will not return for not only their Week 17 matchup, but it’s unlikely he would play in the wildcard round of the playoffs if Cincinnati is unable to secure a bye.

This, of course, means that the Bengals would have to start A.J. McCarron in the first round of the playoffs, depending on how things go tonight and next week.

Dalton has been getting scans done on his injured thumb every week, and the Bengals have tried to accelerate the healing process. However, Dalton’s bone isn’t healed, according to Rapoport.

Dalton, 28, is in the second year of his seven-year, $97.09 million contract that includes $17 million guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $3 million this season and another $10.5 million in 2016.

This season, Dalton had thrown for 3,250 yards while completing 66.1 percent of his passes to go along with 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions over the course of 12 games for the Bengals. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 7 quarterback out of 38 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Dalton’s injury as the news is available.