Trey Hendrickson's Pelvis Injury Sidelines Star for the Cincinnati Bengals

In the high-stakes race for the AFC North title, the Cincinnati Bengals suffered a major setback in Week 13 when star defensive end Trey Hendrickson was forced out of their game against the Indianapolis Colts with a pelvis injury. A four-time Pro Bowler and the Bengals’ sacks leader over the past three seasons, Hendrickson has been the backbone of their pass rush, using his speed and strength to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. The injury—later diagnosed as a Grade 2 pelvic strain—isn’t just a blow to Hendrickson’s individual campaign; it threatens to derail the Bengals’ playoff momentum, as they rely heavily on his ability to generate pressure and create turnovers. Trey Hendrickson's Pelvis Injury Sidelines Star for the Cincinnati Bengals delves into the circumstances of the injury, its immediate impact on the team, and how the Bengals are scrambling to fill the void left by their defensive leader.

Trey Hendrickson's Pelvis Injury Sidelines Star for the Cincinnati Bengals first unfolded in the third quarter of the Bengals-Colts game, a play that seemed routine until Hendrickson crumpled to the turf in obvious pain. On a third-and-5, Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew scrambled to avoid pressure, and Hendrickson gave chase, diving to make a tackle near the sideline. As he landed, his hip and pelvis absorbed the full force of the collision with Minshew and a Colts offensive lineman. Hendrickson stayed on the ground for several minutes, clutching his lower abdomen, before being helped off the field by trainers. He didn’t return to the game, and post-game MRI results confirmed the pelvic strain—a injury that typically requires 3-4 weeks of recovery. “It was a tough moment for our team,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “Trey is more than just a pass rusher—he’s a leader on and off the field. Losing him hurts, but we have to rally together.” The timing couldn’t be worse: the Bengals were in the middle of a three-game win streak, and the loss to the Colts (24-17) snapped that momentum, dropping their record to 10-4.

A critical consequence of Hendrickson’s injury is the immediate drop-off in the Bengals’ pass rush production—a weakness that opposing teams have already begun to exploit. Before the injury, Hendrickson had 11 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 3 forced fumbles in 12 games, accounting for 35% of the Bengals’ total sacks. In the two games since he’s been sidelined (against the Colts and Denver Broncos), the Bengals have recorded just 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hits, struggling to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Against the Broncos, Russell Wilson had 3.8 seconds to throw on average—well above his season average of 2.9 seconds—allowing him to complete 22 of 31 passes for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 27-24 Broncos win. “Trey’s ability to win one-on-one matchups opens up opportunities for everyone else,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. “Without him, offensive lines can shift their focus to other pass rushers, making it harder for us to generate pressure. It’s a domino effect.” The Bengals’ defense, which ranked 8th in the NFL in sacks before the injury, has now fallen to 14th, a trend that could worsen if Hendrickson’s recovery takes longer than expected.

A defining aspect of Trey Hendrickson's Pelvis Injury Sidelines Star for the Cincinnati Bengals is the team’s attempt to fill the void with a rotation of backup defensive ends—a strategy that has so far failed to replicate Hendrickson’s production. The Bengals have turned to Joseph Ossai, Cam Sample, and rookie Myles Murphy to split reps at Hendrickson’s spot, but none have been able to match his consistency. Ossai, a third-year player, has 4 sacks this season but struggles with penalties (he’s been called for 5 offsides flags in the past two games). Sample is a strong run defender but lacks the speed to beat offensive tackles off the edge. Murphy, a first-round pick in 2023, has shown promise but is still adjusting to the NFL’s speed, recording just 1 sack in the two games since Hendrickson’s injury. “We’re asking a lot of these guys, and they’re working hard, but replacing Trey isn’t easy,” Taylor admitted. The Cincinnati Bengals have also adjusted their defensive scheme, using more blitzes from linebackers and safeties to generate pressure, but that strategy has left the secondary vulnerable to deep passes—something the Broncos exploited with a 45-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Another key challenge for the Cincinnati Bengals is managing Hendrickson’s recovery while keeping playoff hopes alive—a balancing act that requires careful planning from the team’s medical staff and coaching staff. Hendrickson has been limited to light workouts in the team’s training room, focusing on core strength and flexibility to speed up healing. The Bengals’ medical team has used cryotherapy and ultrasound therapy to reduce inflammation, and they’ve set a tentative return date for Week 17 against the Kansas City Chiefs—a must-win game if the Bengals hope to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. “We’re not going to rush Trey back,” said Bengals head athletic trainer Paul Sparling. “A pelvic strain can be a lingering injury if not treated properly, and we don’t want to risk making it worse. But we’re also preparing him to be ready when we need him most.” In the meantime, the Cincinnati Bengals have signed veteran defensive end Carlos Dunlap to the practice squad, a familiar face who played for the Bengals from 2010 to 2020. Dunlap, who has 96 career sacks, could be elevated to the active roster if the backup rotation continues to struggle.

Wrapping up Trey Hendrickson's Pelvis Injury Sidelines Star for the Cincinnati Bengals is the long-term impact of the injury on the Bengals’ playoff aspirations—a question that remains unanswered as the regular season winds down. The Bengals currently hold the AFC North’s second playoff spot, but they’re just one game ahead of the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, both of whom have easier remaining schedules. Without Hendrickson, the Bengals will struggle to beat top-tier offenses like the Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, who have quarterbacks (Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson) capable of exploiting a weakened pass rush. “We have to find a way to win without Trey,” said Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. “It won’t be easy, but this team has faced adversity before, and we’ve always found a way to rally. We need everyone to step up—on both sides of the ball.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, the next few weeks will be a test of depth and resilience. If the backup defensive ends can improve, and if Hendrickson can return healthy for the playoffs, the Bengals still have a chance to make a deep run. But if the pass rush continues to struggle, their Super Bowl hopes could be over before they even reach the postseason. One thing is clear: Trey Hendrickson’s presence on the field is irreplaceable, and his injury has thrown a major wrench into the Bengals’ championship plans.