Trey Hendrickson Injury Update
Trey Hendrickson is still working his way back from a stubborn hip and core injury for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Team staff and reports describe it as a hip issue with a sports hernia type core problem that may need surgery once the season ends.
He first hurt the hip around Week 6. He tried to play through it. He then aggravated the injury again in the loss to the New York Jets which set him back.
Since that game he has missed time and the club lists him as out or doubtful from week to week instead of giving a clear timeline.
The Bengals chose not to move him to injured reserve. That shows they still hope he can return for the stretch run if his hip responds to rehab.
Reports say surgery is likely in the offseason but Hendrickson wants to delay that to keep a chance to play again this year. This is a common path when a player has a core muscle issue that is painful but not fully unstable.
Right now his status sits in a gray area. Coaches have called him day to day and doubtful at different points.
He has missed several games in a row and there is no firm public target date for a return. Any comeback likely depends on how his hip feels when he tries to ramp up during practice weeks.
The impact on the Bengals defense is clear. Hendrickson is their top edge rusher and one of the most efficient sack players on the roster.
He had already produced multiple sacks and regular pressure early in the season before the injury.
Without him the team leans more on young pass rushers like Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai with added work for Sam Hubbard when healthy.
That change affects how defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo calls games. With Hendrickson on the field the Bengals can win more often with a four man rush which helps the coverage unit.
Without him they sometimes need extra rushers or more stunts to create pressure and that can stress the secondary.
There is also a big picture angle. Hendrickson has a history of playing through pain with prior neck and back issues plus a wrist problem in past seasons. The hip and core combination is tricky though because it affects first step burst and bend which are huge parts of his pass rush style.
If he pushes too hard too soon he could extend the recovery and limit his effectiveness into next year.
For now the realistic view is simple. He is not yet fully ready and the team is managing him with caution while still leaving the door open for a late season return.
Fans and fantasy players will need to watch practice reports each week to see if he moves from out or doubtful into limited work and then into real game action.
Disclaimer
This injury update is based on publicly available reports and team statements. Player health status can change rapidly, and no information provided here should be taken as medical advice or as an official team prognosis. Always refer to team injury reports and trusted NFL news sources for the most current updates.
