Cincinnati Bengals preparing for AJ McCarron to start vs. the Steelers in AFC Wild Card

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals will play each other for the third time this season in the AFC Wild Card game at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH Saturday night. That much is certain, but what isn't as certain is who will be the Bengals' starting quarterback for the Wild Card rubber match.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis declined an update on Andy Dalton and his injured thumb, but the starting quarterback has been in a cast since breaking his thumb against Pittsburgh in Week 14. Since then, it has been all AJ McCarron taking over for Cincinnati to wrap up the regular season.

Although Lewis declined comment on Dalton, he did comment about the team's plans this week with McCarron.

Marvin Lewis declines to provide update on Andy Dalton's injured thumb, but admits #Bengals preparing as if AJ McCarron is the starter.

— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) January 4, 2016

The Bengals seems to be moving forward with McCarron under center, but if Dalton has the cast removed and shows he is capable of making throws, handing the ball off and handling the offense, there is a chance he could be in the lineup Saturday night.

Dalton's practice availability this week, if he does practice, will be the ultimate deciding factor leading up to the game. Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news surrounding Andy Dalton's injury and AJ McCarron's starter status moving forward.