AJ McCarron was beat up physically and mentally after the Bengals' overtime loss to the Broncos on Monday night.
Cincinnati's backup quarterback accepted the full blame for mishandling an overtime snap that was recovered by Denver pass rusher DeMarcus Ware, sealing the Bengals' fate.
"My fault. Simple as that," McCarron said after the game, explaining that he was caught looking at the defense's adjustment to A.J. Green going in motion at the time of the snap.
Although McCarron felt like he let the team down, he showed more positives than negatives in a second straight promising performance.
The biggest issue, however, might be a left wrist injury that occurred when McCarron went to battle Ware for the fumble recovery.
Sporting a wrap on his wrist after the game, McCarron said he hopes the injury won't keep him out of next week's regular-season finale. He won't be sure until tests are run in the morning.
The injury is not to McCarron's throwing hand, which should increase his chances of playing through pain.
The Bengals are scheduled to play at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, with the Broncostaking on the Chargers at 4:25. With the No. 2 seed still in play, they can't afford to sit McCarron if he's healthy enough to give it a go.