Andy Dalton is hopeful the cast on his right thumb will come off on Monday.

"They said everything's going in the right direction and everything's healing how it should," Dalton said. "So I'm hopeful that I will soon get out of this."

There still is no indication when Dalton will return from the injury. 

Dalton could return for the divisional round of the playoffs at the earliest.

AJ McCarron will continue as the starter until Dalton returns.