Bruised arm: Cincinnati Bengals confirm QB Andy Dalton for season opener – NFL News
The Cincinnati Bengals have ruled out a possibility of quarterback Andy Dalton's absence for a longer period due to an elbow injury and hoped he is going to be available for the season opener next month.
Andy was hit by Indianapolis Colts’ Robert Mathis in sixth offensive play and after staying on the field for a while went on the sidelines. The injury came out to be a bruised right arm as confirmed by the team’s medical staff on the sidelines.
Coach Marvin Lewis said that Andy has not suffered a serious injury scare, adding that the player could have returned to action had it been a regular season game. The coach has a strong belief the QB will be available for the starting game of the season
on September 09.
Later, the player himself described the situation and rued over his stupidity, which apparently helped his opponent to cause the injury.
He said:
"It was a stupid thing where my hand went a little numb, kind of like getting hit in the funny bone. I wish it didn't happen, but it did. I'll be ready to go (for the season opener)."
Dalton did not return for rest of the game and backup QB Bruce Gradkowski replaced him as a starter. Bruce managed to complete 12 out of 19 passes, measuring up to 95 yards but could not help avoid an inevitable defeat to his side. The game was won by Colts,
20-16.
It was encouraging for the Bengals to note that Dalton remained dressed and with shoulder pads on, on the sidelines, and as affirmed by the coach he could have landed himself back on the field in a demanding situation.
The bottom line is that all sides have emphasised with a bit of sense of luck that Dalton has narrowly escaped a possibility of a serious injury. If that would have happened, the Bengals could have been in serious trouble given Dalton has remained the most
successful starter of the league over the recent past and the team has always counted on his performance in their wins.
Tags: