The roster ripple of quarterback Andy Dalton's broken throwing thumb washed ashore Tuesday when the Bengals waived linebacker Chris Carter.
They need the spot in order to have a backup for AJ McCarron in his first NFL start Sunday (4:25 p.m.-Cincinnati's Channel 12) in San Francisco. They'd prefer a veteran, but still look to be on the hunt for one. The other option is promoting practice squad quarterback Keith Wenning, but he's got no NFL snaps since coming into the league in 2014 as a Baltimore practice squadder after the Ravens took him in the sixth round.
It's a cut they didn't want to make even though Carter averaged just nine snaps per game and had no sacks as a backup edge rusher. He played on all four units for special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons in coverage and as a five-year veteran quickly built a reputation as one of the good locker-room guys. On Sunday against the Steelers in a typical day's work he played three scrimmage snaps and 17 on specials teams.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: Here this weekend's playoff scenarios for the Bengals from the NFL office:
-The Bengals win their second AFC North title in three years with a win or tie in San Francisco coupled with a Steelers tie or loss against visiting Denver.
-The Bengals reach their fifth straight postseason with a victory. They can make it if they lose and the Jets lose in Dallas Saturday night or if the Chiefs lose in Baltimore Sunday. The Bengals can also make it if they tie and the Chiefs tie, or if the Bengals tie and the Jets tie.
Cincinnati Ben-Gal Cheerleaders perform during the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals game 12/13/2015
