Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton exited Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand. He didn't return. 

Now comes this report from ESPN's Bob Holtzman indicating that Dalton suffered a fractured thumb and will likely miss the remainder of the season: 

Here's what I'm told about Andy Dalton's fractured thumb: likely season ending, best case scenario is playoffs, per multiple team sources.

— bob holtzman (@BobHoltzmanESPN) December 13, 2015

The key thing here is that Dalton returning for the playoffs is considered the best-case scenario. Now at 10-3 on the season, and following the Denver Broncos loss, Cincinnati still has a shot at a first-round bye. Without Dalton under center for the final three games of the regular year, that goal seems a bit too far-fetched right now. 

With Dalton sidelined for more than half the game on Sunday, second-year quarterback A.J. McCarron proceeded to complete 22-of-32 passes for 280 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the 33-20 loss to Pittsburgh. He will remain under center with Dalton out for the rest of the regular season.