Cincinnati Bengals will face a challenging game against the Pittsburgh Steelers without their star defensive end, Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson, who is dealing with a hip injury, has been declared inactive for this crucial Thursday night matchup.
Bengals’ Defensive Setback
Hendrickson was listed as questionable leading up to the game. He suffered a significant hip injury during the second half of last week’s match against the Green Bay Packers. Despite his hopes to return for the Bengals’ game against the New York Jets in Week 8, he did not participate in practice this week.
Statistical Insights
- Trey Hendrickson recorded 17.5 sacks in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
- This season, he leads the Bengals with four sacks over six games.
- The Bengals currently hold a record of 2-4, sitting second in the AFC North.
To compensate for Hendrickson’s absence, Cincinnati will welcome rookie edge rusher Shemar Stewart back into the lineup. After a four-game absence due to an ankle injury sustained in Week 2, Stewart is expected to make an impact. Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden expressed confidence in Stewart’s readiness and anticipates significant playing time for him against the Steelers.
Additional Player Updates
The Bengals also added defensive end Isaiah Foskey from the practice squad for this matchup. On the offensive side, guard Lucas Patrick has been activated from injured reserve. He has been out since September 9 due to a calf injury, and his return is anticipated to strengthen the offensive line.
As the Bengals aim to break their four-game losing streak, this game against the Steelers is crucial. With Pittsburgh currently leading the division at 4-1, Cincinnati must perform well to stay competitive in the AFC North.
