The Cincinnati Bengals were thoroughly defeated by the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. Unfortunately, it appears they have suffered an even more devastating loss with quarterback Andy Dalton.

Dalton suffered a thumb injury during the loss versus Cleveland. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Bengals will place Dalton on injured reserve after it was revealed that he tore ligaments in his thumb:

Bengals QB Andy Dalton suffered torn ligaments in his thumb, source said. It’s not immediately known if he’s having surgery but his season is over nonetheless.

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This is certainly a crushing blow for the Bengals. Dalton has long served as the franchise quarterback despite his relatively mediocre performance in recent years. During that time, Cincinnati never really made much of an effort to bring in a viable backup or potential successor. Dalton completed 226 of 365 passes for 2,566 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions this season with an 89.6 passer rating

They will now look to quarterback Jeff Driskel to lead them in their final playoff push. Fortunately, Driskel was solid in place of an injured Dalton. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 155 and a TD after taking over under center. The Bengals are hoping that he can help stabilize the offense. Unfortunately, this will be much harder to with wide receiver A.J. Green likely to miss another game with a toe injury.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati has since signed quarterback Tom Savage in response to Dalton's injury. Savage signed with the New Orleans Saints this offseason before his release prior to the 2018 campaign. He was then picked up by the San Francisco 49ers and waived before their Week 12 matchup versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.