AP

Andy Dalton’s visit to a specialist is set for Monday afternoon, a league source told PFT, and after the appointment the Bengals and Dalton believe they’ll have a better idea if Dalton has a chance to return in four weeks or if the Bengals will have to shut him down for the season.

A.J. McCarron becomes the starter and is the only other quarterback on the active roster. The Bengals have reached out to Ryan Mallett and Christian Ponder though no decision by any side has been reached, the source said. Jason Campbell, who was the Bengals’ backup last season, retired last summer and has previously been clear that he’s not interested in a return.

The Bengals have Keith Wenning on the practice squad.

Dalton suffered a fractured right thumb during Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. Though the source said there’s some level of optimism that the trip to the specialist will reveal a four-week timetable, the Bengals know the timing of the injury and the calendar make it more likely that he won’t play again until next season.

Ponder was recently released by the Broncos. Mallett recently worked out for the Ravens; he was cut by the Texans earlier in the season.