Bengals looking at options after Dalton’s injury

However, that dream took a big hit on Sunday when Andy Dalton went down with a thumb injury on his throwing arm that may or may not have ended his season.

Pittsburgh is on the outside of the AFC playoff picture but will likely make the postseason if it beats the New York Jets’ (8-5) record in the last four games overall and in the AFC.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron, left, and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, right, meet on the field after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Bengals (10-3) are coming from a 33-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After being released by the Texans and sitting at home a few weeks the Ravens called Mallett this week and have signed the quarterback to a deal worth up to $2.5 million according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

McCarron spent most of his rookie season recovering from a shoulder injury and only played a total of 12 snaps this year in three blowout wins prior to Sunday, which was most significant action since leading the University of Alabama to two national championships.

ESPN, citing anonymous team sources, reported that Dalton will miss the rest of the regular season, with the best-case scenario being a return in the playoffs. While running back Giovani Bernard did not sufficiently chip defensive end Stephon Tuitt, Dalton probably had another split second before he had to throw the ball.

“We’ve been so impressed with [McCarron], and now he’s got to lead us for however long”, Lewis said of the 2014 fifth-round pick. “And this is why we’ve had him here – for times like today”. “We’ll see how it goes during the week”.

Mohamed Sanu plays the role of emergency third quarterback, still holding a flawless passer rating for his career.

Then numbers for McCarron weren’t porous-he completed 22 of 32 passes for 280 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

On the bright side, McCarron showed that he is willing to assume the leadership void left by Dalton; what he lacks in experience, McCarron nearly makes up for in confidence.

A next step for the Bengals will be settling the backup quarterback situation. “Hopefully, we can get Tyler Eifert back”. He’ll practice with the starters this week, and the game plan will be tailored to what he likes to do.

Inexplicably, he stared down cornerback William Gay but let go an ill-advised sideline floater to Mohamed Sanu. Lewis spoke with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Monday about the pregame confrontation on the field involving players from both sides.

“We’ve earned where we are”, Lewis said. “That’s not the way it should be”.