With the release of Josh Johnson, McCarron will be the Bengals' backup quarterback, Bengals.com reports.

McCarron was the leading candidate anyhow, but this solidifies that decision. The team does not have a veteran alternative to McCarron as the backup.

McCarron, who sat out of Tuesday's practice, is dealing with a strained rib, the Bengals' official site reports.

It's unclear at this point whether McCarron or Josh Johnson will take the second-team snaps in Friday's preseason contest against the Giants. In the wake of McCarron's absence, Johnson has looked good with the second-team reps and will continue to compete for Andy Dalton's backup spot upon McCarron's return.

McCarron sat out Tuesday's practice due to general soreness, Coley Harvey of ESPN reports.

The team didn't specify exactly what was bothering McCarron, but offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said that he doesn't expect the quarterback to be out too long. McCarron is expected to be starting quarterback Andy Dalton's backup in 2015, and should he be healthy for Friday's first preseason game, McCarron will have an opportunity to prove his worth at that position.

McCarron will likely serve as the top backup to Andy Dalton in 2015, according to the Bengals' official website.

McCarron dealt with a shoulder injury for much of his rookie season, but it didn't make much of a difference, as the Bengals had Jason Campbell to serve as Andy Dalton's top backup. While Campbell remains unsigned, the Bengals' website suggests the organization won't do much more spending this offseason, which is interesting to hear for a team with such a favorable cap situation. It's thus hard to tell whether McCarron's ascension to the top backup role would be the result of confidence in his abilities or a desire to save money. Either way, Dalton is the unquestioned starter and has yet to miss a game through four seasons.

McCarron (illness) is inactive for Monday's game against Denver.

McCarron remains behind both Andy Dalton and Jason Campbell on the Bengals' QB depth chart.

McCarron (illness) is questionable for Monday's game against Denver.

As the third quarterback behind Andy Dalton and Jason Campbell, McCarron's availability for Monday would only affect the third, emergency quarterback position. His situation is unlikely to affect the game.

The Bengals activated McCarron (shoulder) from the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list Tuesday.

McCarron has recovered from his shoulder injury, but as the third-string quarterback on a team fighting to make the playoffs, he is not in a position to make a fantasy impact.

McCarron (shoulder) was cleared to practice Tuesday, but remains on the reserve/non-football injury list.

The move was merely a formality, as Tuesday represented the last day the Bengals were able to keep McCarron on the PUP list under NFL rules. The former Alabama quarterback will now be eligible to practice for three weeks without officially counting against the roster limit. The move doesn't necessarily indicate progress for McCarron, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since July, and likely won't be overtaking backup Jason Campbell on the depth chart any time soon.

McCarron (shoulder) will be placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, ruling him out for at least the first six games of the season, NFL.com reports.

McCarron has been dealing with a shoulder injury since at least mid-July, with his placement on the NFI list indicating that it's either a lingering issue from college, or something otherwise acquired outside of the Bengals' facilities. With Jason Campbell signed to serve as Andy Dalton's top backup, McCarron never figured to see the field this season, healthy or not. Dalton's extension, while obviously not a positive development for McCarron's dynasty prospects, doesn't commit the Bengals to much beyond 2015/16.

McCarron (shoulder) is throwing 55-to-65 yards as part of his routine after practices.

McCarron isn't going to challenge Andy Dalton anytime soon, but he's missing an opportunity to position himself for the backup job this preseason.