Bengals QB Andy Dalton doesn't need surgery for thumb injury

Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback Andy Dalton’s fractured thumb on his right (throwing) hand will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis by the team and its medical staff.

Dalton saw a hand specialist Monday and it was concluded the Most Valuable Player-candidate won't need surgery and will not have to be placed on the season-ending injured reserve list. The team will not make any firm conclusions about his status until those weekly evaluations are held.

"That's about as good an outcome right now as we could expect," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "He won't play this week and it will be up to Andy and the doctors each and every week as we do it."

This opens up the possibility Dalton returns from the injury for the postseason. The Enquirer could not confirm the exact type of fracture the 28-year-old quarterback suffered, but he was placed in a hard cast immediately on Sunday afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium.

"It's the news we expected," Lewis said. "It's unfortunately different than the speculative reports that people keep blowing my phone up with. It's a healing situation."

Speculation surfaced Sunday night and into Monday of it being likely Dalton's season would be over and he'd be placed on IR. Instead, the Bengals go forward and await his return.

With surgery ruled out, this means the fracture is non-displaced, his return hinges on how fast the bone heels.

According to Steven Shin, MD, Director of Hand Surgery at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, the minimum amount of time needed for a non-displaced fracture to heal is three weeks and traditionally sees full heal by six weeks. At three weeks it's realistic Dalton can grip and throw a football. The most relevant concern at that point becomes chance of re-injury and pain should be minimal, according to Shin.

As with any bone injury, however, healing depends on the person. Thus, the week-to-week approach going forward.

Under a three-week timetable, it would bring the possibility Dalton returns for Week 17 against the Ravens or a potential wildcard weekend playoff game. Added onus now moves to beating the Broncos in Week 16 to clear the path for a bye in the first round and offer a potential extra week of healing before exposure to contact.

The first round of the playoffs will be held Jan. 9-10.

A next step for the Bengals will be settling the backup quarterback situation. Lewis wouldn't allow if the team plans to promote practice squad quarterback Keith Wenning or sign a veteran.

The most prominent veteran available was Ryan Mallett, recently released by the Texans. He reportedly will sign with the Ravens. If looking for a player familiar with the system, Jason Campbell backed up Dalton last year and retired this offseason. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said Campbell plans to stay retired.

Mohamed Sanu plays the role of emergency third quarterback, still holding a perfect passer rating for his career. The receiver has completed all five of his passes for 177 yards.

"We'll shake the trees," Jackson said. "We'll find somebody that will come in here and back up until we get this thing back to where it needs to be, but we'll be fine."

For the most part, all eyes turn to McCarron until Dalton returns as the injured quarterback adjusts to a smaller role behind the scenes.

“He’s still in the room," Lewis said. "He will still be reflecting on things. AJ’s going to have the ball and going to have to run with it, and take care of the ball when it’s in his hands.”