Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Tag Tests the Cincinnati Bengals Resilience

When the Cincinnati Bengals listed defensive end Trey Hendrickson as “doubtful” for their critical Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills—due to a lingering knee sprain—the news sent a ripple through Who Dey Nation. Hendrickson, the team’s leading sacker (11 sacks) and a cornerstone of their pass rush, isn’t just a statistical standout; he’s a disruptive force that changes how opposing offenses game-plan. Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Tag Tests the Cincinnati Bengals Resilience explores how this uncertain status has forced the Bengals to confront adversity head-on, adjusting their defensive strategy, leaning on backup players, and leaning into the resilience that has defined their late-season surge. For a team fighting for playoff seeding, Hendrickson’s potential absence isn’t just a setback—it’s a chance to prove they can win even when their top playmakers are sidelined.

Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Tag Tests the Cincinnati Bengals Resilience begins with the context behind the “doubtful” designation, which the Bengals’ coaching staff and medical team announced on Friday ahead of the Bills game. Unlike a “questionable” tag (which implies a 50-50 chance of playing), “doubtful” means the team believes there’s less than a 25% chance Hendrickson will suit up. The decision came after Hendrickson participated in limited practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but reported increased knee discomfort during a walkthrough on Friday morning. “We want Trey to be out there as much as anyone, but we can’t risk making his injury worse,” said Bengals head athletic trainer Paul Sparling. “He’s making progress, but not enough to be ready for a physical game like this one against the Bills.” The timing couldn’t be worse: the Bills’ offense, led by Josh Allen, relies on extending plays with his legs—something Hendrickson has excelled at disrupting this season, with 3 forced fumbles and 18 quarterback hits. Without him, the Bengals lose a player who can single-handedly collapse the pocket and force Allen into rushed decisions. This context makes the “doubtful” tag more than just a roster note—it’s a strategic challenge that demands creativity from the Bengals’ defensive staff.

Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Tag Tests the Cincinnati Bengals Resilience continues with the immediate impact on the Bengals’ pass rush, which has been a strength all season (38 total sacks, 12th in the NFL). Without Hendrickson, the Bengals will turn to Sam Hubbard and Joseph Ossai to shoulder the load at defensive end. Hubbard, a sixth-year veteran, has 6 sacks this season and has proven he can step up in big games—including a two-sack performance against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. Ossai, a third-year player, has 4 sacks and brings speed off the edge, but has less experience in high-pressure situations like a playoff-contending game against the Bills. “Sam and Joseph are talented, but they’re not Trey—no one is,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. “We’re not asking them to replace him; we’re asking them to play their best football, and we’re adjusting our scheme to put them in positions to succeed.” That adjustment includes more “stunts” and “twists” from the defensive line—where linemen swap positions mid-play to create mismatches against the Bills’ offensive line—and increased blitzes from linebackers and safeties. Video breakdowns of practice this week show the Bengals running these adjusted packages, with linebackers Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt lining up as edge rushers in certain formations to add pressure.

Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Tag Tests the Cincinnati Bengals Resilience shifts to how the Bengals’ backup players have responded to the challenge, a key measure of the team’s depth and resilience. Ossai, in particular, has embraced the opportunity, staying late after practice to work on pass-rush moves with defensive line coach Marion Hobby. “I’ve been preparing for this moment since training camp,” Ossai said in a post-practice interview. “Trey has been a great mentor to me, and I’ve learned so much from watching him. Now it’s my turn to show what I can do.” The Bengals have also elevated practice squad defensive end Jeff Gunter to the active roster, giving them an extra body in case of fatigue or injury. Gunter, a second-year player, has spent most of the season on the practice squad but has impressed coaches with his work ethic and strength. For the Cincinnati Bengals, relying on backups isn’t a last resort—it’s a testament to the team’s player development system, which has turned role players into contributors. “We don’t just have starters and backups—we have players who are ready to play when their number is called,” said head coach Zac Taylor. “That’s the difference between a good team and a resilient team. And right now, we’re showing we’re resilient.”

Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Tag Tests the Cincinnati Bengals Resilience delves into the mental impact of the “doubtful” tag on the rest of the team, which has rallied around the idea of playing for Hendrickson. During a team meeting on Friday, Wilson stood up and reminded his teammates of how Hendrickson has supported them all season—staying late to help young players, celebrating their successes, and never complaining about his own injuries. “Trey’s always been there for us,” Wilson said. “Now we need to be there for him. Let’s go out there and win this game for him.” The message resonated: practice on Friday was more intense than usual, with players flying to the ball during drills and cheering each other on. Even Hendrickson, who watched from the sidelines, got involved, shouting encouragement and pointing out adjustments to defensive linemen. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this unity isn’t just emotional—it’s strategic. Teams that play with a common purpose tend to communicate better on the field, make fewer mistakes, and stay focused during tough moments. “When you’re playing for someone else, you dig deeper,” said safety Jessie Bates III. “You don’t want to let your teammate down, and that pushes you to be better. That’s the resilience we’re talking about.”

Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Tag Tests the Cincinnati Bengals Resilience wraps up with the long-term implications of how the Bengals respond to this challenge, both for their playoff run and their identity as a team. If they can beat the Bills without Hendrickson, it will send a message to the rest of the AFC that they’re not a one-player team—that their success is built on depth, strategy, and heart. It will also give them confidence heading into the playoffs, where injuries are common and resilience is often the deciding factor. Even if they lose, the way they adapt—whether Hubbard and Ossai generate pressure, whether the blitz packages work, whether the team stays united—will teach them valuable lessons for the postseason. “Adversity reveals character,” Taylor said. “This ‘doubtful’ tag is revealing ours—and so far, I like what I see.” For Hendrickson, the experience has been humbling. “It means a lot to see the team rally around me,” he said. “But I know they don’t need me to win—they have the talent and the heart to do it on their own. That’s the mark of a great team.” In the end, Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Tag Tests the Cincinnati Bengals Resilience is more than a story about an injured player—it’s a story about a team that refuses to let adversity define them. Whether Hendrickson plays or not, the Bengals have already shown they have the resilience to compete with anyone—and that’s a trait that will serve them well, no matter what the playoffs bring.