CINCINNATI — Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton practiced a couple of handoffs at the start of the Cincinnati Bengals practice, looking fine in his orange No. 14 jersey.
The next drill: Throw some warm-up passes. That’s when the problem was evident. Dalton stood and watched the other quarterbacks throw Wednesday, resting his bruised right wrist and forearm. The Bengals plan to go slowly with Dalton this week, but think he could start Sunday in Denver.
“It’s getting better every day,” Dalton said before practice. “That’s all I can ask for. And we’ll see going out there what I’m able to do. I’m hopeful.”
Dalton’s throwing arm was hit after he released a pass during a 27-17 victory in Cleveland on Sunday. His wrist and forearm bothered him so much that he couldn’t grip the ball very well, forcing him to the sideline for the second half. Bruce Gradkowski led Cincinnati to the win with a quick-snap touchdown pass.
Coach Marvin Lewis said he plans to let Gradkowski run most of the plays in practice while Dalton gets treatment and avoids throwing for now. When Dalton wanted to toss a ball to a teammate Wednesday, he did it with his left arm. “Andy will be limited, and we’ll watch and just be careful with him,” Lewis said. “I think the more we allow him to rest, the better he will be for Sunday.”
Footnotes: Left tackle Andrew Whitworth (foot) was back at practice in a limited role and expects to play against the Broncos. . . . DE Robert Geathers was held out of practice with a sore shoulder. DE Michael Johnson (groin) and DE Frostee Rucker (illness) were limited.
