Andy Dalton Injury: Cincinnati Bengals Avoid Disaster with Rookie Quarterback

The Cincinnati Bengals need rookie quarterback Andy Dalton to make progress this year if they want to get back to contending any time soon, but that hope looked for a second like it might have been derailed when Dalton left the team's opener against the Cleveland Browns with an injury.

But don't worry, Bengals fans. The news is good.

According to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Dalton was able to practice on Thursday and Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said he “did fine.” He also said he expects Dalton to be able to play this weekend at the Denver Broncos.

Seeing as how Dalton wasn't even able to throw on Wednesday, it sounds like his right wrist/forearm is making progress. He only threw short routes and the like on Thursday, but Lewis says they'll try some longer stuff on Friday.

Still, you have to think it will take a setback for Dalton not to start against Denver and that's outstanding news for the Bengals.

I mean, let's face it. After using a second-round pick on Dalton and using him as their starter right out of the gate, the Bengals want Dalton to be out there. He has a lot of learning to do, but he does have all the familiar trappings of a quarterback who can be successful in the NFL. Especially with a West Coast offense, which is what Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden uses.

Though briefly, we did get a glimpse of Dalton's promise on Sunday. He completed 10 of his 15 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown, with the lone sour spot being a fumble. Which, for the record, wasn't even lost.

Obviously, the more work Dalton gets, the sooner we're going to know how good he might be. Or, depending on the results, how good he already is.

Had Dalton's injury been worse than it apparently is, the Bengals would have been forced to rough it with Bruce Gradkowski, possibly for an extended amount of time.

As a Raiders fan, you Bengals fans can take my word for it that that's not something you want to see.

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LIFE HURTS. THIS INJURY UPDATE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DICKIES.