Andy Dalton

Bengals' Dalton won't need thumb surgery, playoff return possible

Published Dec. 14, 2015 2:54 p.m. ET

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton will not need surgery on his broken right thumb, FOX Sports NFL Insider Mike Garafolo reported Monday. Dalton is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, but a playoff return is possible.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis confirmed the news, adding that Dalton's status was "week to week."

Dalton broke his right thumb Sunday while making a tackle off an interception in a loss to the Steelers, who battered backup AJ McCarron to prevent the Bengals (10-3) from clinching the division on their home field.

"It's disappointing, especially the way this season has gone," said Dalton, who had missed only half of one game previously in his five-year career.

McCarron, who missed all of his rookie season with a sore passing shoulder and made only four throws in a mop-up role this year, had a rough time as his replacement. He went 22 of 32 for 280 yards with a 66-yard touchdown to A.J. Green and an interception that William Gay returned 23 yards for a touchdown.

McCarron was sacked three times and had another interception that led to a touchdown.

"I've always believed in myself when I've stepped between those white lines where it's a nasty and dirty game," said McCarron, who won two national titles at Alabama. "If you lose confidence it can go bad for you real quick."

McCarron will make his first NFL start Sunday in San Francisco, trying to make an Alabama breakthrough. A starting quarterback from Alabama hasn't won an NFL game as a starter since Jeff Rutledge in 1987, according to STATS.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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