The Cincinnati Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football in an interesting AFC North battle. Despite their 2-4 record, the Bengals are still in second place behind the 4-1 Steelers if you can believe it.
If the Bengals hope to salvage their season, they will probably have to do so without the services of defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Remember that guy? The one we talked about every single day since about March?
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network gave a bit of an injury update this morning and, while Hendrickson is officially listed as questionable, he says it’s not looking good.
“From @GMFB: A look at some key injuries for TNF’s #Steelers-#Bengals, discussing WR Calvin Austin, #Bengals TE Mike Gesicki, and edge Trey Hendrickson, who is pushing to play despite it being a bit of a long-shot,” Rapoport posted on X.
Hendrickson has been battling back issues, so we’ll see if he can go.
Bengals defense stinks, despite Trey Hendrickson on pace for double digit sacks
Who saw this coming? Seriously. 2-4 is good for second place in the division at this point and none of this discussion even involves the Baltimore Ravens (1-5)? That’s why they play the games.
If the Bengals want to save their season, tonight is a good time to start. And, boy, does this defense need Hendrickson. Think of it this way, the Bengals are currently ranked 31st in the NFL in yards per game, and that’s with Hendrickson out there. He’s got four sacks through six games, which still has him on pace for double digits, but he’s far off of his pace of 17.5 sacks in each of last two seasons.
You have to root for Hendrickson to light up the stat sheet this year, otherwise you’ll have to admit that maybe owner Mike Brown was right in not giving him the big money extension.
Still, the Bengals’ frustration levels must be palpable at this point. Not only have they not won a game since Week 2 and lost their starting quarterback for essentially the season, the few superstars they do have keep showing up on the injury report. Last week it was wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase with an illness (he played) and now it’s questions about Hendrickson.
Shemar Stewart could be a boost if Trey Hendrickson can’t go
The Bengals are currently tied for ninth in the NFL in sacks. Not ninth best; ninth worst. Simply put, Hendrickson needs help. The Bengals took Shemar Stewart in the first round of this year’s draft, but he’s been out since Week 2 with an ankle injury.
The Bengals should get a much-needed boost tonight as Stewart is expected to play.
Defensive coordinator Al Golden absolutely wants Stewart out there, especially if Hendrickson can’t go. Heck, either way.
“He’s a gifted young man,” Golden said. “If you are going to play an offense like Pittsburgh you need guys like that out there.”
Not for nothing, but while it’s nice that Stewart should be a warm body returning tonight, we still don’t know how good he is. It’s kind of tough to judge a guy off of two NFL games, but the Bengals are beggars right now not choosers.
As for Hendrickson, if he does play, expect him to be on a snap count.
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