Bengals cut Josh Johnson, clear way for A.J. McCarron as backup

Josh Johnson PicThe Bengals are apparently confident A.J. McCarron is ready to be their backup quarterback.

Via Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals released quarterback Josh Johnson today, cutting loose the journeyman who represented the only real challenge to McCarron being a play away from the field.

The Bengals also have Keith Wenning in camp, but jettisoning Johnson makes it clear that McCarron is their guy behind Andy Dalton.

McCarron has been bothered by shoulder problems, but insists they are nothing to worry about. The 2014 fifth-rounder may be the only quarterback the Bengals in reserve, so they must trust him implicitly.