Marvin Lewis: Bengals Quarterback Andy Dalton Is A Lot Better Today Than Yesterday

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 12, 2011 3:25 PM EDT in Injury

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of an NFL preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

During his weekly Monday press conference following Sunday's game, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis didn't provide any additional updates to Andy Dalton's injury, allowing that the team's starting quarterback is "a lot better than yesterday." The actual injury is somewhat disputed though, with Lewis keeping quiet what was actually hurt. Dalton was believed to have undergone an MRI Sunday night to verify that nothing was broke on his throwing arm.

Dalton was forced out of Sunday's game during Cincinnati's final offensive play in the first half after he was sandwiched between Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor and defensive end Jabaal Sheard on a third down play with less than a minute remaining.

Initial reports suggested that Dalton suffered a wrist injury, even requiring x-rays; though he tried to make a couple of throws on the sidelines on separate occasions, struggling to firmly grip the football. Instead it was heavily bandaged during the second half.

The injury can't be too serious, however, because Lewis said that the team isn't planning on bringing in another quarterback.

If Dalton is unable to go against the Denver Broncos this Sunday, Bruce Gradkowski would make his first start as a Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and it's most likely that the team will have to make room for Zac Robinson, currently on the team's practice squad, on the 53-man roster to backup Gradkowski.

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question

Does Dalton officially/technically get credit for a win yesterday?

I mean I know you can say “The Bengals are 1-0 in games that Andy Dalton started” or other variations of that….but does the NFL give Dalton credit for that win?

Just wondering b/c technically we were down when he went out…but if that is credited as a win, then it would be a little more historically significant

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Sep 12, 2011 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

Record as a starting quarterback will indicate 1-0 record now.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 12, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

ok, thats what i thought

but wasn’t sure how the NFL would count it. I mean, they for sure WON’T talk about it, but kinda feels unjustified giving him that win, even though he played better than Bruce, was still down 14-13 when he exited….

OH WELL- Bengals Rookie QB gets a win game 1, first start. WHO-DEY

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Sep 12, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Also 5th ever team....

to win on the road opening day while starting a rookie qb.

by Bengalsfan024 on Sep 12, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

He gets a win i assume...

Also undefeated Senior year in College, and only 1 loss Junior year…

by txbengal29 on Sep 12, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like...

good news to me. The more he plays this year, the better he will be next year… Also, kind of hoping Denver wins tonight, and plays well…. so may have a letdown next week against Cncy.

by txbengal29 on Sep 12, 2011 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

Good news but sketchy

They’re not being up front with Dalton’s injury which scares me a little bit, and saying “he’s a lot better today” is vague. Anything with numbness or lack of strength in a hand is scary.

Still think he’ll be alright though. It didn’t seem like a devastating hit type of thing—more of like a freak shot that tweaked his hand.

CincyJungle Contributor
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by Anthony Cosenza on Sep 12, 2011 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Keeping things vague as far as injuries go is the smart move,

particularly when the injured player has a chance of playing through it. Why give your opponents information they could use against him.

"At the very end, somebody took a dump right where I stood in the dugout every day." Dusty Baker

by featherman on Sep 12, 2011 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

Yep make denver prepare to play either QB so///

they wont be too familar with 1

by Bengalsfan024 on Sep 12, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Love the strategy as a competitor

Hate it as a fan:)!! But still think it is a good move to keep the competition guessing and not give out to much information.

by biggie22 on Sep 12, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Remember, Gradkowski was a raider.

And although he didn’t play against them last year, they still are very familiar with him. I think that they will spend more time preparing for Dalton to start, because A) it is more likely he starts and B) if he doesnt start, they can better prepare for Gradkowski, as they have had to in the past.

by Alexneyer on Sep 12, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

What is more important experience or scouting report?

I was think about this today. I think we can win most of early games (actually all of them but people think I’m crazy:) and I thought Andy Dalton looked really good yesterday. I know once we get past the first half of the season things are going to get a lot tougher and I was wondering who does it benefit more playing the stronger teams (Pitt & Baltimore) later in the season, us or them? At first I thought it was definitely us because Andy Dalton has gotten more NFL playing experience, but then I started thinking they get the advantage of actually having a scouting report on him and Jay Gruden to prepare for the game. I still think experience is more important but thought it would be something interresting to look for later in the season for both AD and JG to see how they adjust when teams have them scouted

by biggie22 on Sep 12, 2011 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

I think this is more of a stinger than anything else

Temporary loss of sensation, so he was not worth bringing back yesterday, but not serious.

Sure. Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

by UpStateMike on Sep 12, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

said hes hand was numb... like when you hit a funny bone

which would not have been good for him to try and grib that ball in the rain… See MJ’s INT

by Bengalsfan024 on Sep 12, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly... I am inclined to take the explanation at face value.

His hand got smashed, he had trouble gripping the ball… which is a prerequisite for playing QB in the NFL, obviously.

If a running back tells you he can’t put weight on his foot, you can’t play him. Same type of deal.

by Boomer Lion on Sep 12, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Any potential there with Zac Robinson as a Pro?

Just wondering is he a valid back up? Seems like he has been kicked around a lot of teams.

by Caleb Burch on Sep 12, 2011 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

if this were Manning or Brady

We would have a 4-part documentary detailing everything about this injury. I do not understand why they are being so vague unless they just don’t know the extent of the injury. I don’t buy the gamesmanship angle. The opponent will know he’s hurt no matter what it is.

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Sep 12, 2011 5:20 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions