CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton had the cast on his right hand removed after a visit to a local hand specialist on Monday, multiple sources told ESPN's Bob Holtzman on Tuesday.
The starting quarterback's status for Saturday's wild-card round playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is still unknown, a team source told Holtzman. Dalton, who injured his right thumb in a Dec. 13 game against the Steelers, told reporters last Friday he was hopeful the cast would come off after the visit. It was a crucial step he had to clear before being allowed to play again.