Bengals may add free agent QB; AJ McCarron out indefinitely

When the Bengals signed Jason Campbell this offseason it looked as though he was a lock to be the primary backup behind Andy Dalton this season. That situation has become clouded since the start of training camp. He didn't help himself with his poor performance in Thursday's preseason loss to the Chiefs. In a two-point loss, Campbell threw two pick-sixes, effectively throwing the game in the process.

Unfortunately for him, all of that damage came before he injured his elbow to the point that the Bengals are now scanning the wire for free agent QBs, according to the mothership.

The Bengals may be adding a quarterback even if tests on backup quarterback Jason Campbell's throwing arm are negative. He took a pretty good shot Thursday night and with the Jets in here in eight days (Aug. 16- 7 p.m.), the Bengals need some health there.

With Campbell playing poorly, Matt Scott's performance Thursday night now has him sniffing a spot on the 53-man roster if he continues to play well in the preseason.

However, he's a second-year player who went undrafted out of Arizona, and then was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Needless to say, The Bengals aren't sure if he can be even a reliable third-stringer, which is what they may need with AJ McCarron out.

Although rookie A.J. McCarron is throwing steadily on the side as he rehabs shoulder tightness, the Bengals don't appear to be close to activating him. After he rested his shoulder in OTAs, he apparently came back too soon and it looks like the Bengals are shelving him indefinitely to make sure he doesn't have another relapse.

It sounds like there's now a good chance McCarron is kept on PUP through the first two months of the season. He could then be placed on I.R., ensuring the Bengals keep his rights without using a 53-man roster spot on him.