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Cincinnati Bengals Preseason: 3 Takeaways vs Colts

By Kenn Korb

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 31: Daryl Richardson #43 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a first down against Demetrious Cox #37 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 31: Daryl Richardson #43 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a first down against Demetrious Cox #37 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 31: AJ McCarron #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals gets his equipment back on after an injury to backup quarterback Jeff Driskel in the first half of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 31: AJ McCarron #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals gets his equipment back on after an injury to backup quarterback Jeff Driskel in the first half of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Actually, They Are Only Going To Keep Two Quarterbacks

Before this game, I was completely of the belief that Cincinnati would hold onto not only Andy Dalton and A.J. McCarron, but also Jeff Driskel. Unfortunately, this game changes things.

What sucks is that it’s through no fault of Driskel, either. He played excellently back in preseason Week 1 against Tampa Bay (8-of-9, 97 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs; 5 rushes, 34 yards, 1 TD) and didn’t do anything the past couple weeks to undo that goodwill.

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McCarron also didn’t exactly look too great (though half of his preseason drives lead to scoring attempts through three games, none were touchdowns and he led three turnover drives as well), and with an expiring contract he should be gone after 2017 regardless. Driskel had done enough to stick on the active roster again and then possibly be Dalton’s backup in 2018 at a cheaper price than McCarron likely will command.

Well, Driskel may still be able to do that, but it probably won’t come with him on the active roster. Against the Colts, he ended up with a thumb injury; before the game ended, he was already casted up on the sideline. He may get to stick around on IR this year. If that happens, the future possibilities are still on the table even without being active.

The team has no other quarterback options for the season beyond the Dalton/McCarron/Driskel trio though, so his inability to be on the active roster could be a boon to the individuals scrapping at running back and wide receiver. With no third quarterback, one of them who otherwise would’ve hit the bricks will now ultimately get to stay on.

Speaking of which.

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