Report: Bengals preparing for McCarron to start vs. Steelers

Andy Dalton appears to be at least another week away from returning from a fractured thumb.

The Cincinnati Bengals are preparing for AJ McCarron to start at quarterback for Saturday's AFC wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Dalton is scheduled to meet with doctors Monday and hopes to have his cast removed then, but it's still uncertain whether he'll be available Saturday.

McCarron saw his first extensive NFL action in a 33-20 loss to the Steelers in Week 14. He said Sunday that he'll be more confident if he faces them again.

"I feel like I am finally getting some reps, know the offense a little bit more and am more used to it," he said. "I've been trying to take care of the football and being thrown in that game, I didn't."