Fragen und Antworten » sore passing shoulder that sidelined him since

CINCINNATI - One of AJ McCarrons early throws in practice was so far off the mark that it deflected off the wall of the University of Cincinnatis bubble-covered field.Didnt dent his mood at all.The fifth-round draft pick hadnt done anything with the Cincinnati Bengals until this week, when he returned from a sore passing shoulder that sidelined him since the start of training camp. McCarron spent the last few months strengthening his right shoulder and waiting to be declared ready.He finally got to practice with the team on Wednesday.I had a smile on my face the whole day, McCarron said on Thursday. I could have messed up the whole practice. I was just having fun. I felt like a kid again out playing the game in the backyard. I was just excited to play football.McCarron led Alabama to national titles in 2011 and 2012. He went 36-4 as the Crimson Tides starter and set school records for touchdown passes, yards passing and completion percentage. The Bengals took him with the 164th overall pick, looking to develop him into a reliable backup to Andy Dalton.The sore shoulder sidelined him at the start of training camp. The Bengals put him on a strengthening program that involved throwing from short distances at the outset and building up to longer throws as the shoulder allowed. He was finally cleared to join practice this week.The Bengals moved their practices on Wednesday and Thursday to Cincinnatis covered field — the Bengals are the most northern NFL team without one of their own. It took McCarron a little while to settle in and start completing his throws.I havent thrown to receivers, he said. Getting the timing with the guys at first was different at first. That was the first time I had thrown in shoulder pads since (the Sugar Bowl). Thats almost a year.I completed the first one, sailed the next two. I could have messed up 100 times, I was just so happy to be playing football.The question is how the Bengals will handle him for the rest of the season.Dalton has been one of the NFLs most durable quarterbacks, missing only half of a game due to injury during his four seasons. Veteran Jason Campbell is the backup. The Bengals envisioned McCarron growing into the backup role, but the injury has prevented him from making much progress.If Dalton continues to struggle in big games — hes 0-3 in the playoffs and 2-6 in prime time games — the Bengals could make a switch at quarterback in a couple of years, which would provide an opening for McCarron.The Bengals have a three-week roster exemption for McCarron. Theyll have to decide whether to add him to the active roster for the rest of the regular season — and bump someone off the roster — or leave him on an injury list the rest of the way.The Bengals (6-3-1) lead the AFC North heading into their game on Sunday at Houston (5-5).I just want to go out and have fun and then be ready to go whenever they need me, whether they call on me this year or next year, McCarron said. The old saying you dont realize what you have until its taken away? It really is true. Being out that long, it felt like it was taken away. Being back, I felt like a kid again. I was having fun.Notes: Linebacker Vontaze Burfict was held out of practice again on Thursday, an indication hell miss his fourth consecutive game following knee surgery. ... Defensive end Margus Hunt was still walking with a boot on his sprained right ankle Thursday. Offensive lineman Mike Pollak sat out practice with a sore knee. ... Running back Giovani Bernard fully participated in practice for the first time. Hes likely to be active on Sunday after missing three games with a sore shoulder and hip, although rookie running back Jeremy Hill is expected to get the bulk of the plays.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Bradley Chubb Broncos Jersey . Atletico Madrid made it three wins from three thanks to a double from in-form striker Diego Costa in a 3-0 victory at Austria Vienna, leaving the Spanish side on the brink of the last 16 already to continue its brilliant start to the season. Karl Mecklenburg Broncos Jersey .com) - The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with running back Jackie Battle on a one-year contract Friday. http://www.thebroncosstoreonline.com/Youth-Brian-Dawkins-Broncos-Jerseys/ . -- Martin Kaymer never lost sight of opportunity even amid so much evidence of trouble in the closing stretch Sunday at The Players Championship. Noah Fant Jersey . - Ronda Rousey realizes shes finishing up one of the biggest years for any fighter in the young history of mixed martial arts at UFC 168, and the UFCs bantamweight champion intends to go out on top. Karl Mecklenburg Womens Jersey . Today, their baseball playing sons were reportedly traded for each other. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Cubs dealt minor league outfield Trevor Gretzky to the Angels for catcher Matt Scioscia.WASHINGTON -- The Cincinnati Reds have placed Canadian first baseman Joey Votto on the 15-day disabled list with a left leg injury. The Reds made the move before Wednesdays game against the Washington Nationals. He had already missed five games with a quadriceps strain in his left knee. The move is retroactive to May 16. The Reds had played a man short, expecting Votto woould return quickly.dddddddddddd Manager Bryan Price said Tuesday he was optimistic Votto would be back for a homestand that starts Friday. Votto, from Toronto, is hitting .257 with six home runs and 12 RBIs. The Reds also reinstated outfielder Jay Bruce from the 15-day DL. He had arthroscopic surgery May 5 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. ' ' '