Dalton won't need surgery; may be back for playoffs

[Sled21]

(12-14-2015, 08:34 PM)pally Wrote: How fast are you driving to get to Louisville in 45 minutes?

Cincinnati also has top level hand surgeons so I doubt they sent him to Louisville esp considering Andy doesn't need a hand transplant.

About 80-85.... and since we are all just speculating we are all just speculating....

[BFritz21]

I thought we wouldn't know anything until Andy saw a hand specialist later today, so how is Marvin coming out with this now?

Anyways, it does sound like great news and hopefully we get Andy back ASAP.

It's getting cold here in Cincinnati, so we'd need to run the ball a lot anyways, which will be important to also keep the heat off of AJ.

To everyone worrying about Dalton losing arm strength, I'm sure that there's machines that they could hook-up to his wrist, rather than gripping with his hand, to lift weights and maintain strength. It obviously wouldn't be the exact same, but it should be enough.

[BengalsRocker]

Good news !



At least we won't need to get him a "Chubs" hand.

[Big Boss]

Perhaps the fracture isn't all that large.

[BengalChris]

(12-14-2015, 09:36 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I thought we wouldn't know anything until Andy saw a hand specialist later today, so how is Marvin coming out with this now?

Anyways, it does sound like great news and hopefully we get Andy back ASAP.

It's getting cold here in Cincinnati, so we'd need to run the ball a lot anyways, which will be important to also keep the heat off of AJ.

To everyone worrying about Dalton losing arm strength, I'm sure that there's machines that they could hook-up to his wrist, rather than gripping with his hand, to lift weights and maintain strength.  It obviously wouldn't be the exact same, but it should be enough.

I'm concerned about his ability to grip the ball correctly with a partially healed broken bone. I really don't think bones heal in a couple of weeks and it's a bone that gets used on every play by the QB. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but this injury sounds more problematic than Marv is letting on.

[Sled21]

Well if he does get back for the playoffs and we do have to face the Stoolers, you can bet you ass they will be grabbing at it every chance they get....

[SunsetBengal]

(12-14-2015, 10:20 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Well if he does get back for the playoffs and we do have to face the Stoolers, you can bet you ass they will be grabbing at it every chance they get....

Or any team we face, for that matter..

[Fresno B]

He won't be back this season. Can you imagine how sensitive it would be to play like that. It would re-break instantly upon contact. Let it heal and come back next year healthy. No reason to potentially injure it more than it already is and further jeopardize your health.

[jeremydc]

The only way I see us having a chance is a first round bye. Rushing Andy before that will result in further damage.

If Denver loses out (yes, a Steelers win. I'm looking at the bigger picture), how many wins do we need to secure the 2nd seed?

[Essex Johnson]

Today because of advances in medicine.. people are coming back faster than ever at close to 100 percent, Andy will be getting the best care also.. so if it is week to week it is not as bad as some thought.. hell look at Gronk, they expected him to be out maybe 4 weeks and he is already back. The problem for Andy and Bengals it is his throwing hand so they won;t play him i feel unless he can take snaps and throw with little pain. I do think we could see him back by playoffs but not before is my prediction

[jeremydc]

Even if we end up in the WildCard (highly probable), McCarron may be the better option in the long run.

[Fresno B]

(12-14-2015, 10:33 PM)jeremydc Wrote: The only way I see us having a chance is a first round bye. Rushing Andy before that will result in further damage.

If Denver loses out (yes, a Steelers win. I'm looking at the bigger picture), how many wins do we need to secure the 2nd seed?

At this point imo, we have the 2 seed locked, unless you think the Broncos are gonna beat us and Pittsburgh. We're not losing to the 49ers or the ravens, and not to Denver either imo. If Denver losses out, all we need is 1 afc win for the 2 seed.

[InTheJungleNow9]

The way Marvin was smiling and giggling during his presser today makes me think that Andy has a shot... And I know it doesn't mean much, but I broke my thumb wrestling in high school and was only in a cast for 3 weeks. Then I was back wrestling again. Obviously it's a bit different than throwing a football but wrestling does require you use your hands and grip quite a bit.

[jeremydc]

(12-14-2015, 10:41 PM)Fresno B Wrote: At this point imo, we have the 2 seed locked, unless you think the Broncos are gonna beat us and Pittsburgh. We're not losing to the 49ers or the ravens, and not to Denver either imo. If Denver losses out, all we need is 1 afc win for the 2 seed.

That's exactly what I am thinking....

Every game will be a battle with a backup QB and a suspect secondary.

[reuben.ahmed]

(12-14-2015, 06:26 PM)Sled21 Wrote: The doctor that was discussing this on NFL radio said the closer to the tip, the faster he can return, the closer to the base the longer it will take to heal. Taking snaps and handing off the ball will be painful, and if he can't get grip strength on the ball his passes will sail (read interceptions). If we have any chance at all of going all the way, Hill I going to have to stop dancing and start pounding the ball, Bernard will also have to step up. And the defense will have to be dominant and not disappear.

Bernard should take offense to your statement "step up". The only reason he isn't all pro is because of Hue Jackson.

I agree, Bernard needs the majority of touches per game from any offensive player while Andy is out (or even when Andy is in). Next, Eifert. Next, Green.

[wolfkaosaun]

Good. We need Dalton to come back. He's been on fire all season and has fought back in every single game, even when he made mistakes. The old Dalton would have folded, this Dalton responds. Glad to hear he's recovering because honestly we need him. He's been making great throws all year and has certainly been deserving to be in the MVP talk.

[Brownshoe]

(12-14-2015, 04:56 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: We need to get healthy asap. Wouldnt it be great if we win in Denver, have the #2 seed wrapped up before the finale with Baltimore and we can rest our starters?

The defense might rest if have the #2 locked up, but I bet they would want to give McCarron more reps with the starters just in case.

[BFritz21]

(12-15-2015, 12:05 AM)reuben.ahmed Wrote: Bernard should take offense to your statement "step up". The only reason he isn't all pro is because of Hue Jackson.

I agree, Bernard needs the majority of touches per game from any offensive player while Andy is out (or even when Andy is in). Next, Eifert. Next, Green.

Disagree.

We tried having Bernard be our bell cow in the first half of last season and it clearly didn't work out because Bernard's not a between-the-tackles runner or a runner that can take the majority of the carries in a game, which is why we started giving the ball to Hill full-time.  What makes this even more obvious is the fact that we'll be playing in Denver and here in Cincinnati for the last two games, which Denver will be freezing and probably snow, and even though it's been in the 60s here in Cincinnati, weather here is stupid and the forecasts here look like it's getting colder.

Ride Hill to wins until Dalton comes back and limit what AJ has to do at QB; make his life easy.

[JSR18]

The majority of posters are concerned about AD's ability to grip the ball upon return, and rightly so. However, this quote from AD on Bengals.com sounds promising:

“When I got to the sidelines, I tried to grip the ball. I felt like it was a little bruise that I could try and get through. Then I went and got the X-Ray,” said Dalton

Hopefully, this is only a 3 week ordeal...

[Daddy-O]

(12-14-2015, 05:58 PM)jj22 Wrote: He may need to work with a glove (to help with the grip) if he can return in time for the championship game. Then we have to hope he isn't too rusty. Either way, the last 24 hours has brought a renewed sense of appreciation for the guy nationally. You would have thought we lost Manning (the old Peyton) they way it's been covered.

Either way focus has to be now on getting McCarron to get us to a bye, and then see where we are at in 4 weeks.

There's an old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder".  AD has been as durable as any QB over his 5 years in the league.  You don't set records like he has sitting on the bench.

Hopefully he can make a comeback this year and lead us through the playoffs.  If we can still win the division and get a good seed the extra work for McCarron can pay off should AD not be able to go at some point during the post season.

All is definitely not lost.  It would have been much worse to happen during a playoff game like it did with Palmer.  Time heals all wounds.  In this case AD's thumb (hopefully) and McCarron's inexperience.  AJ will have 3 games under his belt if we need him for the post-season.  That's invaluable.