Bengals may be without Andy Dalton in the playoffs as well

The Bengals may have to play AJ McCarron in the playoffs if they cannot get a bye

The Bengals looked once like a team to beat.  Then Andy Dalton was injured. Now according to Ian Rapoport, Dalton may not be back until the 2nd round in the playoffs, if the team could not secure a bye. 

#Bengals QB Andy Dalton (thumb) is still a few weeks ago, sources say. Out week 17. If CIN is 3-seed, likely AJ McCarron starts in WC round

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2015

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.

If #Bengals want Andy Dalton to begin their playoff journey, they likely need to win tonight to get a bye — or McCarron gets a playoff start

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2015

#Bengals QB Andy Dalton gets scans every week, team has tried to accelerate healing. But bone isn’t healed through yet. Not a good situation

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 29, 2015

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