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AJ McCarron has a chance to shine as Andy Dalton may miss rest of season
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The Cincinnati Bengals got terrible news today, and it’s up to former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron to see that it doesn’t ruin one of the AFC’s top contenders.
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is likely to miss the rest of the season after injuring his right thumb in a 33-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, team sources told ESPN’s Bob Holtzman.
AJ McCarron, in his second season with the team after being taken in the 5th round of the 2014 draft, came in to replace Dalton with about five minutes left in the first quarter as Dalton threw an interception during a second-and-goal from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 4-yard line.
McCarron, who did appear in the past two games but hadn’t played extended minutes in the regular season throughout his career, finished the game 22-for-32 for 280 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.
“You have to embrace (the situation),” McCarron said. “I love it. You have to love pressured moments.
“That’s where the great ones really shine. I guess Tom Brady was in the same situation when he had the opportunity. I’ve got to make the most of it and do my job each week. I know we have an unbelievable defense and if we don’t turn the ball over, we have a great chance.”
The Bengals (10-3) entered the week tied with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos for the best record in the conference and had a chance to clinch the AFC North against their division rivals.
The best-case scenario for Dalton, sources told Holtzman, is that he will return for the playoffs. Dalton hadn’t missed a start in his career. His 74.4 Total QBR entering Week 14 was the third-highest in the NFL.
For now, McCarron, who announced with his wife Katherine Webb that they’d be having a baby boy just six days ago via Twitter, will have to guide Cincinnati.
“I stepped in, and I have to play better,” McCarron said. “I’m going to play better. I promise you that.”
McCarron threw his first TD pass as a pro to former Georgia receiver A.J. Green on a 66-yard connection in the second quarter.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
