AJ McCarron Will Not Make Bengals Debut in Preseason Opener

Jun 11, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) during minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals will not show off their newest arm in the preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a report by Mark Inabinett of al.com. AJ McCarron has spent most of the preseason on the non-football injury list with shoulder tightness.

A report by ESPN writer Coley Harvey said that McCarron has been feeling much better since his initial report of tightness in his shoulder in May. He last practiced In June and but has yet to practice since the opening of training camp two weeks ago.

AJ McCarron was the Cincinnati Bengals fifth round draft pick this year. Some had speculated that he was going to be learning and preparing to possibly take over the Bengals starting job if they couldn’t come to an agreement with current QB Andy Dalton. That speculation ended on Tuesday with Dalton’s contract extension.

McCarron is expected to be the number 2 on the quarterback depth chart for the Bengals when he finally does return. Harvey’s report states Bengals owner Mike Brown and head coach Marvin Lewis have both requested that McCarron rest his arm as a precautionary.

Since McCarron will not make the trip, Jason Campbell will most likely see snaps with the second team and play a large factor in proving the depth that the Bengals haven’t luckily needed much since Dalton’s arrival.

Matt Scott should be taking snaps in Kansas City as the third team quarterback. His tryout Thursday night may be for another team though. The Bengals are most likely only going to keep 3 active QB’s going into week 1.

McCarron may be a few days away from taking part in preseason activity but It will be up to the coaches and trainers to make that call.