After being kicked to curb, Dalton back at QB for Bengals
Andy Dalton plopped down behind the microphone in the Paul Brown Stadium interview room, his white Bengals cap turned backward.
“I’m back!” he said, breaking into a smile.
Back, for the rest of the season. Back, after getting over a bitter demotion. Back, trying to get the Bengals that elusive first win.
Coach Zac Taylor ended a failed experiment this week, demoting rookie Ryan Finley and reinstalling Dalton as the starter in hopes of avoiding an 0-16 finish. The Bengals are the last winless team in the NFL, two games worse than any other.
The 11-year veteran will get to finish this season but has no idea what the Bengals have in mind for next year, the last on Dalton’s contract. He’s approaching the last five weeks as a chance to show he can still start for some team.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen moving forward but I’m just worried about these next five,” Dalton said.
The Bengals (0-11) are worried about one win, which prompted the unplanned switch back to Dalton.
They’re off to the worst start in club history, and their 11 straight losses are a franchise record for one season. Taylor stunned Dalton by telling him after loss No. 8 that the franchise was going to start Finley to see how he fit into its plans long term. The fourthround pick completed only 47 percent of his passes and had five turnovers in three games, prompting Taylor to change his mind.
NO DECISION YET ON BRONCOS QB LOCK >> The Broncos are upping quarterback Drew Lock’s snaps at practice in preparation for his possible debut Sunday against the Chargers.
Coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday that the second-round pick from Missouri who has been on IR all season will take 75% of the snaps, with Brandon Allen taking the rest.
Fangio didn’t say when he’d make up his mind.
The Broncos (3-8) turned to Allen when Joe Flacco (neck) went on IR at midseason. He won his first start against Cleveland but has lost at Minnesota and Buffalo, where he threw for just 84 yards in a 20-3 loss Sunday.
DOLPHINS WR GRANT GOES ON INJURED RESERVE >> Miami Dolphins receiver and kick returner Jakeem Grant went on injured reserve Wednesday because of an ankle injury, ending his season.
LIONS ROOKIE QB TO DEBUT >> Rookie David Blough is set to make his NFL debut at quarterback for Detroit today when the Lions face the Bears.
Starter Matthew Stafford — who hadn’t missed a game since the 2010 season — will be sidelined a fourth straight game with back and hip problems.
Backup Jeff Driskel has been decent at times, but now he’s dealing with a hamstring injury.