Joe Burrow isn’t the only injury that’s been dashing the Bengals’ playoff hopes. Star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is also having some injury concerns.
Trey Hendrickson hasn’t been in action since Week 8 in a loss to the New York Jets where he re-aggravated a hip injury that kept him out in Week 7. The Bengals had a bye week in Week 10.
This extra rest for Hendrickson was going to hopefully lead to good news for Cincinnati in their Week 11 duel with the Steelers. However, it doesn’t look like that will be the case.
Trey Hendrickson Listed As “Doubtful” For Week 11
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 7: Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on from the bench before the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 7, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Per the official Cincinnati Bengals website, Trey Hendrickson is listed as “doubtful” for Week 11. If he doesn’t play, it’s a huge blow for a Bengals team with playoff chances on life support.
The Bengals currently sit at 3-6 overall with a 2-0 record in the AFC North division they call home. The 4-5 Ravens have won three straight. The 5-4 division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers just lost in a stinker to the Chargers. The Bengals still have hope for the postseason, but they need to get things rolling this week at Acrisure Stadium.
Drew Garrison of Cincy Jungle had this to say about a Bengals defense without the services of Trey Hendrickson:
“This is not great news for a Bengals’ defense that has struggled mightily in essentially all aspects of the game. Without Hendrickson in the lineup, Cincinnati has has virtually no pass rush, leading to issues at every level of the defense. Hendrickson is normally able to collapse the pocket and make quarterbacks uncomfortable and without him, they have seemingly had all day to throw.”
Cincy Jungle’s Drew Garrison on the effects of a Hendrickson-less Bengals defense.
Garrison takes it one step further, commenting on the long-term ramifications of the injury:
“Hendrickson’s contract expires at the end of this season and the lack of availability this season likely makes the Bengals believe they were right to extend him long term. If the Bengals’ season slips even further, one would wonder if we will see Hendrickson in a Bengals uniform again.”
Steelers’ Preparation Continuing As Normal
GettyPittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin states that the Steelers are preparing as if the Bengals will have Trey Hendrickson in Week 11.
Per Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Steelers are preparing for Trey Hendrickson to be on the field this Sunday:
“Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Nov. 11 that his team is preparing for Sunday as if Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is going to play in the AFC North rivals’ NFL Week 11 matchup at Acrisure Stadium.”
It’s next man up for the Bengals, but they know that. If they want any hope in making the playoffs, then they can not drop this game against the Steelers. They must take it one game at a time, and survive until Joe Burrow and Trey Hendrickson are ready to return.
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