Dalton completed 23 of 44 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 31-27 win over the Ravens.

Analysis: Dalton had difficulty connecting with A.J. Green (two catches on 10 targets) and struggled throughout most of the second half, but came up clutch in the final minutes. A 49-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd gave the Bengals the lead with only 53 seconds remaining, and ultimately knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs. Cincinnati certainly didn't have the 2017 season they would have envisioned, but were able to play season spoiler for division-rival Baltimore, and Dalton finished with one of his…read more

Dalton completed 27 of 41 attempts for 238 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Sunday's 26-17 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Dalton completed a healthy 66 percent of his passes, but just one completion longer than 18 yards left him with a substandard 5.8 yards per attempt. Still, he mustered his highest yardage output since Week 10 and gave his team the lead with a one-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Uzomah in the third quarter. Dalton hasn't enjoyed the most consistent of seasons by any means and has now averaged a mere 182.3 passing yards per game over the last six, with nine touchdowns and four interceptions over that…read more

Dalton completed 11 of 22 passes for 113 yards and two interceptions without a touchdown or rushing attempt in Sunday's 34-7 loss to the Vikings.

Analysis: Dalton was deservedly benched for AJ McCarron with Cincinnati trailing 34-0 in the fourth quarter. The Red Rifle's first interception was taken to the house by Minnesota's defense, and it's fair to question Dalton's job security after consecutive efforts under 150 passing yards.

Dalton completed 14 of 29 pass attempts for 141 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 33-7 loss to Chicago.

Analysis: The Bengals took a 7-6 lead after Dalton's touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell late in the first quarter, but it was all Bears after that. Dalton missed out on some potential garbage-time stats as he was replaced by AJ McCarron with 4:30 left in the fourth quarter. The TCU product is not a recommended option in another tough matchup at Minnesota in Week 15.

Dalton completed 21 of 36 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns in Monday night's 23-20 loss to the Steelers. He also rushed twice for 19 yards.

Analysis: Dalton found top target A.J. Green for two red-zone touchdowns during the first half, and had a 61-yard score to Green nullified by a holding penalty in the second half. Despite that frustrating play, Dalton still fared well for himself, throwing multiple touchdowns for the fourth straight contest while extending his streak of not throwing an interception to six games. Next up for Dalton is a favorable home matchup against the Bears.

Dalton completed 18 of 28 pass attempts for 214 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 30-16 win over the Browns.

Analysis: He also rushed four times for 26 yards. The TCU product capped the Bengals' first drive of each half with touchdown passes and extended his interception-less streak to five. Up next is a home tilt with Pittsburgh, against whom he passed for 140 yards and two touchdowns to go with two interceptions in Week 7.

Dalton completed 15 of 25 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns Sunday against the Broncos. He also gained four yards on three carries int he 20-17 win.

Analysis: Though he averaged just 6.2 yards per attempt, Dalton connected on touchdown passes with three different receivers and went without an interception for the fourth straight game. His team deferred to the run after building a lead, suppressing his number of attempts and accompanying yardage. Nonetheless, Dalton's 9:2 TD:INT over the last five games makes him a viable option in Week 12 against the Browns.

Dalton completed 20 of 35 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns while losing two fumbles in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Titans.

Analysis: Dalton connected with Brandon LaFell for a 37-yard score in the first quarter and added a 70-yard touchdown to A.J. Green in the fourth. The latter touchdown gave Cincinnati a 20-17 lead with 5:03 to play, but Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was able to orchestrate a late touchdown drive of his own to win the game for the hosts. Dalton's two first-half fumbles were both costly, as the first one led to a Tennessee touchdown and the second came on 1st-and-goal from the nine-yard line.

Dalton completed 10 of 18 passes for 136 yards in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Jaguars.

Analysis: Dalton came up against a vaunted Jaguars pass defense and lost his go-to target, A.J. Green, to ejection in the second quarter. Green's ouster from the contest put Dalton in a bind, as he has relied on the Pro Bowl wideout for 35.6 percent of his passing yards this season. Assuming Green is back next week, Dalton is a decent play against a middle-of-the-road Titans pass defense. He's still managed to throw multiple touchdown passes in four of six games coordinated by Bill Lazor.

Dalton completed 17 of 29 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns while adding 10 yards on the ground in Sunday's 24-23 win over the Colts.

Analysis: Dalton put the Bengals back up by four midway through the third quarter when he took a shot to the chops, but still managed to float the ball into the end zone for a 25-yard strike to Josh Malone. Dalton started the season off ugly, with no touchdowns and four picks in his first two games. However, he has since thrown multiple touchdown passes in four of five contests. This might not be the time to buy on Dalton, however, as he's coming up on a tough stretch. Four of the Bengals' next five…read more

Dalton completed 17 of 30 passes for 140 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions during Sunday's 29-14 loss to the Steelers. He also rushed three times for eight yards.

Analysis: Hamstrung by one of the worst offensive lines in the league, Dalton was at the mercy of the Steelers' strong pass rush that applied heavy pressure all game long and totaled four sacks before the final whistle. Neither of his interceptions was completely his fault, though -- since both were tipped and fell into the hands of defenders -- but this still marks Dalton's most ineffective game since Bill Lazor took over as offensive coordinator in Week 3. The fact the Bengals tallied only one first…read more

Not limited by ankle

Dalton (ankle) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: As expected, Cincinnati's bye week gave Dalton plenty of time to recover from the minor ankle injury he suffered in a 20-16 win over the Bills in Week 5. Per Terrell, Dalton said he's pain free as the Bengals prepare for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh.

Downplays ankle issue

Dalton downplayed a potential ankle injury after Sunday's 20-16 win over the Bills, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Dalton didn't miss any snaps and threw for a season-high 328 yards, but A.J. Green said after the game that he knew his quarterback battled through some pain. Dalton also tossed a couple of interceptions, both of which hit Green in the hands before caroming to defenders. Dalton should have plenty of time to recover from the seemingly minor ankle injury as Cincinnati heads into a Week 6 bye. The Bengals then travel to Pittsburgh in Week 7.

Dalton completed 22 of 36 passes for 328 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 20-16 win over Buffalo. He added two yards on the ground.

Analysis: The biggest chunk of Dalton's success came early on Sunday with a 77-yard bomb down the right sideline for an A.J. Green touchdown. After struggling early in the season, Dalton has been airing it out with gusto under new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, averaging at least 7.85 yards per attempt in all three games after reaching that total just six times in 18 starts under Ken Zampese. The switch at coordinator has also led to Dalton getting the ball into the end zone more with seven touchdowns…read more

Dalton completed 25 of 30 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns Sunday against the Browns. He also carried four times for 29 yards and lost a fumble in the 31-7 win.

Analysis: Dalton enjoyed easily his best game of the season in this one, completing passes to nine different receivers, including three touchdowns in the second quarter to build a big lead. He also finished as the team's top rusher, with the team's crowded running back corps failing to generate much on the ground. Dalton endured a miserable start to the season, but he has since bounced back with six touchdowns compared to just one turnover in the last two weeks. He will look to build off of this breakout…read more

Dalton completed 21 of 27 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Packers. He also rushed twice for minus-two yards.

Analysis: Even though he was ultimately out-dueled by Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Dalton -- and the rest of the Bengals offense, for that matter -- was much more effective than he was in the first two weeks of the season. This represents just his fifth game with more than one passing touchdown since the start of 2016, though. Probably not coincidentally, two of those games came against the Browns, who Dalton gets the privilege of playing in Week 4.

Will start Week 3

Coach Marvin Lewis confirmed following Thursday's loss to the Texans that Dalton's job as the team's starting quarterback is safe, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Bengals are still looking for their first touchdown of the season after suffering discouraging losses to the Ravens in Week 1 and the Texans in Week 2, with both of those games taking place at home. Over those two games, Dalton threw four interceptions and lost a fumble while throwing for 394 total yards. If the slide continues, it will be hard for Lewis not to consider starting backup AJ McCarron, although the coach plans to roll into Green Bay next Sunday with Dalton at the helm of…read more

Can't get team in end zone in Week 2 loss

Dalton completed 20 of 35 passes for 224 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Thursday's 13-9 loss to the Texans. He also gained five yards on two rushes.

Analysis: While he didn't look anywhere near as ineffective as in the opener, Dalton and the entire offense came up small for the second consecutive week at home. The veteran signal caller managed just 6.4 yards per attempt, a modest improvement over the 5.5 figure he generated in the Week 1 shutout loss to the Ravens. The 29-year-old did encouragingly spread the ball around to the likes of Tyler Eifert and Alex Erickson, and also connected on a team-high five occasions with top target A.J. Green. Dalton…read more

Dalton completed 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards and four picks in Sunday's loss to Baltimore. He also lost a fumble during the contest.

Analysis: You'd have to go back to the 2013 season finale against Baltimore for the last time Dalton chucked four picks. A lot of his struggles early on Sunday came from failing to recognize the underneath the defender, his first interception coming on a tip from outside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor and his second, in the end zone, was nabbed by linebacker C.J. Mosley lurking underneath. His third interception came after the blitzing Terrell Suggs got his hands on the pass. With a bevy of new weapons,…read more

Dalton completed eight of 13 passes for 70 yards in Sunday's preseason loss to Washington. He also ran for seven yards and lost a fumble during the contest.

Analysis: Dalton had Cincinnati humming early on, connecting on five of his attempts, including four to A.J. Green, during a Bengals opening drive that culminated in a touchdown. Dalton fumbled away the next drive and completed just three passes for the remainder of the half. Dalton aired it out plenty in 2016 and reached or neared plenty of career highs, but saw career lows in touchdowns and touchdown percentage - a product of playing much of the year without A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert. Both will be…read more

Dalton completed just seven of 13 passes for 98 yards during Saturday's preseason loss to Kansas City.

Analysis: The results aren't overly important at this point, as Dalton is locked in as the starter and has established chemistry with the majority of his weapons in the passing game. The Bengals have the pieces in place to have a formidable offense, and Dalton has been a go-to fantasy asset in the past, so a bounce-back campaign is within reach. It's also encouraging to see him honing in on No. 1 receiver A.J. Green. Dalton targeted his top wideout six times for three receptions and 39 yards Saturday.

Throws pick in Friday cameo

Dalton completed four of five passes for 38 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in Friday's 23-12 preseason win over the Bucs.

Analysis: As expected, Dalton wasn't in the game for long, but did have an opportunity to get time in with top target A.J. Green and share some snaps with rookie RB Joe Mixon. Dalton spread the ball around on his one possession, connecting with Green, Tyler Eifert and Brandon LaFell before tossing an interception at the Bucs' one-yard line on a pass intended for the latter. The 29-year-old signal caller will look to build on the second 4,200-yard season of his career in the coming campaign and figures to…read more

Dalton believes the Bengals improved in the offseason, the team's official site reports.

Analysis: The Bengals offense certainly had an interesting offseason, losing stalwart linemen Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler in free agency, then adding WR John Ross (No. 9 overall) and RB Joe Mixon (No. 48) in the draft. Ross gives Dalton another deep threat alongside A.J. Green, but the team may need to rely on its short passing game to combat potential issues in protection. While Dalton has struggled to deal with pressure throughout his career, he may have an easier time now that he has a full…read more

Dalton completed 18 of 28 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-10 win over Baltimore.

Analysis: Dalton found tight end C. J. Uzomah from one yard out on the final play of the first quarter for his 18th touchdown of the season, but still ended up finishing with one fewer score than his 2014 career-low of 19. On the bright side, the 29-year-old threw just eight interceptions, giving him consecutive campaigns with single-digit picks after four straight seasons with at least 13. Dalton's numbers were depressed due to the extended absence of top wide receiver A.J. Green (hamstring), but he…read more

Dalton completed 28 of 41 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown and one pick in Saturday's loss to the Texans.

Analysis: If not for Brandon LaFell's 86-yard catch-and-run, Dalton's stat line would have looked miserable. It's been a tough 2016 for Dalton, with his former offensive coordinator heading to Cleveland, tight end Tyler Eifert out for a chunk of the season and star receiver and pass-catching back A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard out in recent weeks. The result has been a season in which Dalton has yet to throw for more than two touchdowns in a game, after four such games in 13 outings last season. With…read more

Dalton completed 16 of 27 passes for 157 yards and one interception during Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Steelers. He also tacked on a one-yard touchdown run.

Analysis: Entering the weekend on the heels of back-to-back victories, the Bengals were poised to play spoiler to the Steelers' postseason hopes. Indeed, Dalton led four consecutive scoring drives to begin the game, including his own one-yard scoring plunge as the clock hit zero at the end of the first quarter. In total, the four possessions pushed the deficit to 20-6 with 2:51 remaining before halftime, but Ben Roethlisberger directed another field-goal drive to cut the lead to 11 by the mid-game break.…read more

Dalton completed 20 of 28 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-10 victory over the Browns. He also rushed twice for 17 yards.

Analysis: It wasn't a huge day for Dalton in terms of passing yards -- it was actually his lowest total of the season -- but he was able to hook up with Tyler Eifert for two red-zone touchdowns, and that was enough to put away the Browns. In his last three games, Dalton has thrown five touchdowns without an interception, and that has resulted in two wins, even without A.J. Green (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (knee). Dalton will look to continue his strong play of late against the Steelers in Week 15.

Dalton completed 23 of 31 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 32-14 win against the Eagles. He added nine yards on two rushes.

Analysis: Dalton completed an impressive 74 percent of his passes at 10.7 yards per attempt while connecting with Tyler Eifert and Brandon LaFell for a pair of red zone scores. It was the Red Rifle's second game of the season with over 300 passing yards and touchdowns with no interceptions, and he seems to be coping without A.J. Green (hamstring) or Gio Bernard (knee) at his disposal. Dalton's terrific performance helped end a four-game winless streak for the Bengals, who will look to build off this…read more

Dalton completed 26 of 48 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown Sunday in Baltimore. He also rushed three times for 14 yards and lost two of four fumbles in the 19-14 loss.

Analysis: Dalton attempted to overcome the absence of top wideout A.J. Green (hamstring) by spreading the ball around. Quantity didn't make up for quality, though, as he led just one touchdown drive despite connecting at least three times with five different receivers. It looks like the Bengals will continue to rely heavily on the passing game, though the Red Rifle's effectiveness will likely be limited until he's reunited with his top target.

Dalton (right shoulder) returned to a full practice Thursday, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports.

Analysis: Dalton is good to go for Sunday's game against the Ravens, but his pass-catching corps in Week 12 will be taxed by the absence of No. 1 wideout A.J. Green (hamstring), as well as RB Giovani Bernard (knee, IR).

Dalton (right shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Dalton is not in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Ravens, but his pass-catching corps will be taxed by the absence of top wideout A.J. Green (hamstring) and RB Giovani Bernard (knee, IR). Meanwhile veteran WR Brandon LaFell sat out practice Wednesday.

Dalton completed 24 of 43 passes for 207 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions Sunday against the Bills. He also rushed four times for 10 yards and a touchdown in a 16-12 defeat.

Analysis: Dalton took matters into his own hands by the goal line in the first quarter, running in from two yards out for his third rushing score of the season. He struggled after that, though, throwing for under 250 yards for just the third time this season and second game in a row. Dalton's struggles had a lot to do with the early exit of top receiver A.J. Green (hamstring), who could be out for the season. The Red Rocket's stock would take a major hit the rest of the way if that's the case.

Dalton (right shoulder) practiced fully Thursday.

Analysis: Dalton's limitations at practice Wednesday afforded him a bit of a breather following a Monday night game, but he'll be good to go Sunday against the Bills. To date, Dalton has carved out a 10:4 TD:INT ratio through nine games, while averaging 283.7 yards per game in the air, a figure that ranks him ninth in the league.

Dalton (right shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Analysis: More on Dalton's status as the week rolls along, but there's a chance his limitations Wednesday were simply maintenance-related in advance of Sunday's game against the Bills.

Dalton completed 16 of 29 passes for 204 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Monday night's loss to the Giants.

Analysis: Dalton connected on all three of his passing attempts for 85 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown to A.J. Green, on Cincinnati's first offensive drive Monday. However, he couldn't muster much production afterward. Although he did have a would-be touchdown to rookie Tyler Boyd overturned in the third quarter, Dalton's 204 yards and 16 completions still marked season lows. The signal-caller has also thrown an interception in back-to-back weeks after going four straight games without a pick.…read more

Dalton completed 27 of 42 passes for 284 yards, one touchdown and one interception Sunday against the Bengals. He added 21 yards and a fumble on four carries in the 27-27 tie.

Analysis: Dalton could've done even more damage if not for a pair of short rushing touchdowns by Cincinnati running backs, but he was able to supplement his production through the air with a one-yard plunge of his own in the third quarter. He is in the midst of a fine season and now has a 9:3 TD:INT ratio to go along with 2,349 passing yards, which is good for fourth in the NFL as of Sunday. Dalton and company will enjoy a bye in Week 9 before matching up with a beatable Giants defense the following…read more

Dalton completed 19 of 28 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Browns.

Analysis: Dalton set the tone by leading the offense to three first-half touchdown drives, including a 48-yard Hail Mary at the end of the first half to A.J. Green. The Red Rifle has quietly had a nice start to the season and now owns a 8:2 TD:INT ratio in addition to a healthy average of 295 passing yards per game. He is providing strong returns for fantasy owners at the moment and will look to continue his recent success in Week 8 versus the Redskins.

Dalton completed 21 of 31 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's loss to New England. He rushed for 17 yards and a score on two carries.

Analysis: Dalton gave Cincinnati the lead late in the first half after keeping it on an option sweep and cutting up for a two-yard score. He struck again early in the second half with a touchdown toss to Brandon LaFell, but overall had a fairly ho-hum game despite several nice drops in the bucket to AJ Green and Tyler Boyd. At this point last season, Dalton was on his way to becoming a fantasy star with 14 touchdown passes and another two scores on the ground in six games. Dalton, this season, has just…read more

Dalton completed 29 of 41 passes for 269 yards with a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's 28-14 loss at Dallas. He also had six rushes for 34 yards.

Analysis: The Bengals were shut out for three quarters, so Dalton didn't play as well as his final stat line suggests. He threw multiple touchdowns in a contest for the first time this season, although his yardage has been strong all year, averaging just over 300 yards per game. The Cowboys did a great job containing A.J. Green, who was held to 50 yards on four receptions, but Dalton did manage to get Brandon LaFell involved, hooking up with him eight times for 68 yards and two touchdowns. The veteran QB…read more

Dalton completed 22 of 31 passes for 296 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in Thursday's 22-7 victory over the Dolphins. He also netted minus-12 yards on six rushes and fumbled twice but recovered both.

Analysis: The veteran signal-caller turned in an efficient performance against a Dolphins defense that has struggled to defend the pass through the first four weeks. Dalton's most spectacular play came on a first-quarter scramble where he deftly side-stepped the rush and slung a 51-yard heave downfield to a leaping A.J. Green, who snared the pass at its highest point. He also found four other receivers on the night, but looked Green's way the most by far (10 targets). Through four weeks, Dalton has put…read more

Dalton completed 21 of 31 passes for 206 yards and a pick in Sunday's loss to Denver. He added 40 yards on six carries.

Analysis: Dalton's season-opening streak of 366-yard games is over at two. The Bengals went run-heavy to start the game, getting on the board early and protecting Dalton from Denver's potent pass rush. Once Denver adjusted to the running game, Dalton's day turned south as the Broncos got to him four times and forced him into a late pick. The arrow should be pointing up for Dalton as he will be getting his favorite red-zone target, Tyler Eifert, back soon to complement A.J. Green. If the team doesn't do a…read more

Dalton completed 31 of 54 pass attempts for 366 yards and one touchdown in the Bengals' Week 2 loss to the Steelers. He also carried twice for seven yards.

Analysis: The 54 pass attempts represent a career-high for Dalton, though his 57.4 percent completion rate was well below his career average. Receiver A.J. Green didn't do him many favors, though, as the All-Pro wideout secured just two of eight targets sent his way. Fortunately, rookie Tyler Boyd seems to be emerging as a legitimate weapon for Dalton, which could prove very beneficial for Dalton's stat lines moving forward. Up next is a matchup against a formidable Broncos defense Week 3.

Dalton completed 23 of 30 passes for 366 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 23-22 win over the Jets. He also added seven rushing yards on three carries.

Analysis: Dalton was having a rough go of it early, but got it going after finding A.J. Green down the middle for a 54-yard score early in the second quarter. While New York's defensive pressure kept the Red Rocket off balance in his first meaningful action since Week 14 of the 2015 season with seven sacks, he was able to exploit a vulnerable secondary by picking up yardage in chunks en route to his 18th career 300-yard passing game. Almost half of that total went to Green, indicating that the sixth-year…read more

Dalton completed six of 10 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's preseason game against the Jaguars.

Analysis: Dalton added a four-yard run that converted a third down in the red zone, ultimately leading the Bengals to 14 points on his three drives. The Cincinnati first-team offense looked sharp throughout the preseason, but there was one minor concern from Sunday's game, as A.J. Green left early with an apparent leg/knee injury. According to The Cincinnati Enquire, Green would have played through the injury if Sunday's contest had been a regular-season game.

Dalton completed 4-of-5 passes for 32 yards in Friday's preseason opener against the Vikings.

Analysis: Dalton got just one drive, as the Bengals opted to ease their starter back in. His 2015 season was cut short after a thumb injury, but the Red Rocket was able to immediately re-establish a rapport with top wideout A.J. Green. With the Bengals once again featuring an excellent offensive ensemble, Dalton should once again find the end zone often after averaging 24.8 touchdowns per season in his first five NFL campaigns.

Dalton has returned to working with no restrictions with his throwing thumb.

Analysis: Per the report, Dalton -- is "back to zipping the ball," which puts him on track to be ready for a full workload once the Bengals' off-season workouts commence. While the Bengals -- who have promoted quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese to offensive coordinator -- lost both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency, they were able to add Brandon LaFell as an experienced complement to star wideout A.J. Green. Meanwhile, the team welcomes back a healthy Tyler Eifert at the tight end position and…read more

Dalton (thumb) should be healthy for the beginning of the Bengals' offseason program in April, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Dalton's fractured thumb may have crushed the Bengals' title hopes in 2015, but it shouldn't be an issue for the upcoming season. With Hue Jackson now serving as head coach of the division-rival Browns, Dalton will be working under first-time offensive coordinator Ken Zampese, who served as Cincinnati's quarterbacks coach for each of the past 13 seasons.

Andy Dalton: Still no throwing

Dalton (thumb) has yet to begin throwing, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports. "Not throwing yet because we are being very conservative with it," Dalton said this week. "I feel like I can throw but no reason to push anything right now. I have plenty of time now to get 100 percent."

Analysis: The Bengals were knocked out on wild-card weekend, so it appears that Dalton may not have made an appearance in the postseason, even if his side reached the Super Bowl. Either way, he expects to attend a quarterback camp at USC in the coming months, while he'll have an opportunity to take part in Cincinnati's offseason program as early as April 18.

Dalton (thumb) will move forward as the Bengals' starting quarterback next season under new offensive coordinator Ken Zampese, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: Dalton's fractured thumb will be a thing of the past next season, when he'll reclaim the Bengals' starting quarterback position under his former position coach, Zampese, who was promoted to offensive coordinator in light of Hue Jackson being hired as the Browns' head coach this week. Over the past five years, Zampese has helped develop Dalton into a much improved quarterback, evidenced by his multiple career-highs this past season.

Andy Dalton: Ruled out this week

Dalton (thumb) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Steelers.

Analysis: This was the expected outcome, with the Bengals making things official on Friday. AJ McCarron is thus slated to make his fourth straight start at QB for the Bengals on Saturday, and should the team advance to the Division Round of the playoffs, it's unclear at this stage if Dalton might be ready by then.

Dalton was seen in the locker room Wednesday following Wednesday's practice trying to avoid using his thumb with any activity, Local 12 WKRC reports.

Analysis: It's extremely unlikely that Dalton plays this weekend, and even if the Bengals win it doesn't necessarily look good for him then.

Dalton (thumb) did not suit up for practice Wednesday, ESPN's Coley Harvey reports.

Analysis: Moreover, at this stage, Dalton has still not thrown a football since injuring his right thumb back on Dec. 13, thus making his status for Saturday night's Wild Card Game against the Steelers iffy, at best. With that in mind, per coach Marvin Lewis, the Bengals are "preparing with AJ McCarron to be the starting QB. Whether Andy is the backup or where Andy is, we'll know down the line. He'll be ready when he's ready."

Dalton (thumb) had his cast removed Monday, ESPN's Bob Holtzman reports.

Analysis: Dalton's visit with his doctor yielded a clear sign of progress, yet the quarterback is still highly uncertain to be ready for Saturday's playoff game against the Steelers. Although he may be willing to push things in the playoffs, previous reports suggested that Dalton likely wouldn't be available until mid-January.

Dalton has a visit with his doctor scheduled for Monday to assess the QB's injured right thumb.

Analysis: Dalton is hoping that he'll be able to take the cast off his throwing thumb, but such an outcome has yet to be confirmed yet and a timetable for his potential return to action can't really be solidified until said cast comes off. Dalton is already ruled out for Sunday's regular season finale against the Ravens, a game that AJ McCarron is slated to start.

Andy Dalton: Likely out several more weeks

Dalton (thumb) is likely still a few weeks away from returning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Bengals have been evaluating Dalton on a weekly basis, but this report indicates he will not play in Week 17, and would not play in the Wild Card round if the Bengals do not secure a first-round bye. The Bengals will continue to provide updates on Dalton's status, and he has not officially been ruled out beyond this week just yet, but it's looking like A.J. Mccarron will likely see at least another start.

Dalton (thumb) has been officially ruled out for Monday's game against Denver.

Analysis: Dalton's fractured thumb continues to keep him out of practice and he'll miss his second consecutive game Monday. AJ McCarron figures to make his second consecutive start but will draw a tough matchup against a talented Broncos secondary.

Dalton (thumb) remains "week to week," the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Analysis: On the plus side, the report notes that the Bengals are happy with the progress Dalton's fractured right thumb is making, but AJ McCarron is slated to remain the team's starting QB on Monday night against the Broncos, whose Week 16 offense will be helmed by Brock Osweiler.

Dalton does not need surgery on his fractured thumb, but his return relies on how quickly the ailment heals, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Analysis: Dalton met with a hand specialist Monday after fracturing his right thumb Sunday against the Steelers. In deciding that Dalton does not need surgery, there remains hope that Dalton can return for the playoffs, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports. That suggests Dalton's thumb may not be healed enough for him to play again in the regular season, leaving A.J. McCarron as the Bengals' starting quarterback until further notice.

Andy Dalton: Thumb injury could end season

There are fears that Dalton's thumb injury could sideline him for the rest of the season.

Analysis: While such a potential outcome is of course pending the results of Monday's medical exam by a hand specialist, the report hints at a possible 4-6 week timetable for Dalton's recovery. At the very least, Dalton won't play in next Sunday's game against the 49ers, which sets the stage for AJ McCarron to start that contest, and quite possibly beyond.

Andy Dalton: Suffers fractured thumb Sunday

Dalton suffered a fractured thumb in his right (throwing) hand during Sunday's loss to the Steelers, ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Per the report, coach Marvin Lewis indicated that Dalton will miss next weekend's game against the 49ers, but it's unclear if the QB will miss any additional time beyond that. While Dalton, who is slated to see a specialist Monday, is sidelined, AJ McCarron is on track to fill in at QB for the Bengals.

Andy Dalton: Out with thumb injury

Dalton has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Steelers because of thumb injury.

Analysis: Dalton suffered the injury while trying to make a tackle following an interception and was immediately taken to the locker room for evaluation. He was 3-of-5 for 59 yards before leaving, and he was replaced by AJ McCarron.

Dalton completed 14 of 19 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's win over Cleveland. He added 11 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries.

Analysis: Sunday represented season lows for Dalton in completions and attempts as the Bengals chose to pound the ball against Cleveland's weak rush defense. He still managed to total at least three touchdowns for the seventh time this season. Dalton recorded just two such games all of last season. Expect a few more such games down the stretch once Dalton gets his favorite red-zone target, Tyler Eifert, back in the fold.

Dalton completed 20 of 27 passes for 233 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's win over St. Louis.

Analysis: After posting his second game of more interceptions than touchdowns in Week 10, Dalton has tossed five touchdowns to just one pick in last last two games. Dalton has emerged this season as a top-flight quarterback, with eight games with multiple touchdowns and six games with at least three total scores. For the season, Dalton ranks among the top eight quarterbacks in the league in passing yards, touchdowns and quarterback rating.

Dalton (groin) is active Sunday against the Rams.

Analysis: Dalton was limited in practice Wednesday, but returned to log a full day's work both Thursday and Friday, and was given a "probable" designation for Sunday's home matchup. As expected, he'll take on a St. Louis defense that has allowed 229.4 passing yards per game through Week 11, good for No. 10 in the league. He'll also have a healthy group of receivers for the contest, as Marvin Jones (hamstring) will be active as well.

Andy Dalton: Probable to play Sunday

Dalton (groin) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Analysis: Dalton looks like a go Sunday and he'll carry a 20:5 TD:INT ratio into the weekend against a Rams team that has dropped three straight decisions by a combined tally of 74-44.

Dalton (groin) practiced fully Thursday, ESPN's Coley Harvey reports.

Analysis: Dalton was limited at Wednesday's practice, but Thursday's full participation presumably foreshadows a probable designation for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Dalton (groin) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: We'll track Dalton's status in the coming days, but so far there is nothing at this stage to suggest that his status for Sunday's game against the Rams is in any danger.

Dalton completed 22 of 39 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns, with eight carries for another 34 yards and a lost fumble, in Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Bengals.

Analysis: Dalton fumbled twice, took four sacks and missed some throws, but his strong play in the fourth quarter did allow the Bengals to quickly erase a 10-point deficit. He wasn't quite able to get his team in the end zone on the final drive, leaving the Cardinals with time for a game-winning field goal. Dalton didn't play as well as his stat line suggests, and a lot of his yards came from Giovani Bernard's YAC. It was still a massive improvement from his surprising clunker against the Texans,…read more

Dalton completed 22-of-38 passes for 197 yards and one interception in Monday night's loss to the Texans.

Analysis: Dalton easily had his worst performance of an otherwise impressive season Monday night, as he posted low marks in passing yards, completion percentage and yards per attempt. Additionally, Monday was Dalton's first game without a touchdown pass this season, and he threw an interception. After failing to score a touchdown at home against the Texans, Dalton will now lead the Bengals' offense into Arizona for a difficult Week 11 matchup versus the Cardinals on Sunday night.

Dalton completed 21 of 27 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns, adding six carries for five yards, in Thursday's 31-10 win over the Browns.

Analysis: All three touchdowns went to Tyler Eifert, who was part of a three-way time for the team lead with six targets. Dalton bounced back nicely from his first down game of the season, leading his team to 31 points on eight competitive drives. He predictably didn't get his usual volume, as the Bengals were ahead by multiple scores for most of the second half. Dalton has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks this season, and he get an excellent Week 10 matchup with the Texans on Monday Night…read more