CINCINNATI -- We finally will get what should be our most complete picture of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron in Thursday night's preseason finale at Indianapolis.
With starter Andy Dalton likely sitting out completely along with other offensive and defensive first-teamers, there ought to be a major dose of McCarron. If the former Alabama Crimson Tide star does actually start, he will be starting a football game for the first time in about 21 months.
So, what's on tap for McCarron on Thursday? What might we see from him?
Given the way the second-year backup has played in his only other two games this preseason, those are relatively loaded questions. That's in part because he has already shown he can be a successful signal-caller in Cincinnati's scheme. Is there truly anymore he can show to convince us of how good he really is?
Through relief appearances in two preseason games, McCarron is 23-for-32 passing for 246 yards and a touchdown. He has led 12 drives and has had three of them result in touchdowns. One of those scores, a 5-yard rush by running back James Wilder Jr., came after McCarron entered in the second half of a game in which he had a 23-3 deficit to overcome.
McCarron couldn't lead his offense back from that deficit in the 25-11 Week 2 loss at Tampa Bay, but he still showed glimpses of promise. After issues with penalties from backup offensive linemen on his first two drives and a first-play safety on a third drive that started at his own 1, McCarron on series No. 4 marched his unit of backups on the 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive that was capped by Wilder.
In last Saturday's win over Chicago, McCarron completed his first seven passes en route to finishing 12-of-17 for 149 yards and a touchdown. With Dalton getting banged up on Cincinnati's first drive, McCarron entered earlier than expected, allowing him to face Bears' defensive starters.
How will he build off these performances? After last Saturday, there were genuine calls for him to be elevated to the Bengals' starting position. That's definitely not happening anytime soon, but his strong play does give the Bengals confidence they have a competent backup entering Dalton's fifth year. They've been blessed because the starter has avoided major injury through the first four.
If McCarron plays well Thursday, don't be surprised if the crowd that called for Dalton's job last week grows louder in the next few days. Then, the instant Dalton has a slip-up in a home regular season game, those who side with McCarron likely will pick up the intensity in making their preference known.