Trey Hendrickson's Injury Timeline Shared by the Cincinnati Bengals

As the Cincinnati Bengals navigate the final stretch of the NFL regular season and prepare for a potential playoff run, the team made a key announcement that impacts their defensive strategy: the official injury timeline for star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson, who suffered a knee injury in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals, is a linchpin of the Bengals’ pass rush, and his availability has been a top concern for fans and coaches alike. Trey Hendrickson's Injury Timeline Shared by the Cincinnati Bengals breaks down the details released by the team’s medical staff, from the nature of the injury to expected recovery milestones, and how this timeline aligns with the Bengals’ postseason hopes. For a defense relying on Hendrickson’s sack production, the timeline isn’t just a schedule—it’s a roadmap for adjusting their game plan in the weeks ahead.

Trey Hendrickson's Injury Timeline Shared by the Cincinnati Bengals begins with the injury incident and initial evaluation, which set the stage for the timeline release. In the third quarter of the Bengals’ 34-20 win over the Cardinals, Hendrickson was blocking on a special teams play when he collided with a Cardinals player, his knee bending awkwardly as he fell to the turf. He remained on the field for several minutes before being helped to the sideline, where he was examined by the Bengals’ medical team. Post-game tests revealed a Grade 1 sprain of the medial collateral ligament (MCL)—a mild injury that typically involves minimal tearing of the ligament—but with no damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or other knee structures. “The initial news was a relief—we avoided a more serious injury,” said Bengals head athletic trainer Paul Sparling. “A Grade 1 MCL sprain is manageable, but we need to be cautious to prevent it from worsening.” The team waited 48 hours for swelling to subside before conducting follow-up scans, which confirmed the initial diagnosis and allowed the medical staff to craft a detailed recovery timeline.

Trey Hendrickson's Injury Timeline Shared by the Cincinnati Bengals continues with the official timeline released by the Bengals on Monday, one week after the injury. The timeline is divided into three phases: Phase 1 (Weeks 1-2 post-injury) focuses on rest and inflammation reduction, with Hendrickson limited to ice therapy, compression, and light stretching to maintain knee flexibility. He is prohibited from any weight-bearing exercises or football-related activity during this phase. Phase 2 (Weeks 3-4) introduces low-impact strength training, including leg presses and resistance band drills, to rebuild muscle around the knee without putting stress on the MCL. During this phase, Hendrickson will also begin working with the team’s physical therapist on balance and agility exercises. Phase 3 (Weeks 5-6) involves gradual return to football activities: first individual drills (like pass-rush simulations without contact), then team practice with limited reps, and finally full contact if he shows no signs of discomfort. “This timeline is conservative but realistic,” Sparling explained. “We want to make sure Trey is 100fore he steps back on the field—rushing him could lead to a longer absence.” The timeline suggests Hendrickson could be available for the Bengals’ second playoff game (if they advance past the first round), but he will likely miss the regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens and a potential first-round playoff matchup.

Trey Hendrickson's Injury Timeline Shared by the Cincinnati Bengals shifts to the impact of this timeline on the Bengals’ defense, which has relied heavily on Hendrickson’s pass-rush production this season. Through 15 games, Hendrickson has recorded 11 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 3 forced fumbles—leading the team in all three categories—and has been a key reason the Bengals rank 12th in the NFL in sacks (38 total). Without him in the lineup, the Bengals will turn to defensive ends Sam Hubbard and Joseph Ossai to step up. Hubbard, who has 6 sacks this season, will take over as the primary pass rusher, while Ossai (4 sacks) will see increased reps in obvious passing situations. “We have depth at defensive end, but no one replaces Trey’s consistency,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. “Sam and Joseph are talented, but they’ll need to elevate their game to make up for his absence.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, the timeline means adjusting their defensive scheme in the short term: they may use more blitz packages with linebackers or defensive backs to generate pressure, rather than relying on the defensive line alone. This adjustment could leave the secondary vulnerable to deep passes, however, forcing the Bengals to find a balance between pass rush and coverage.

Trey Hendrickson's Injury Timeline Shared by the Cincinnati Bengals delves into how the Bengals are supporting Hendrickson’s recovery to stay on track with the timeline. The team has assigned a dedicated physical therapist to work with Hendrickson daily, and he meets with the medical staff twice a week for progress evaluations. The Bengals’ training facility has also set up a specialized recovery area for Hendrickson, equipped with cryotherapy machines and anti-gravity treadmills to aid in Phase 2 of the timeline. Hendrickson has been documenting his recovery on social media (with the team’s approval), sharing photos of his physical therapy sessions and thanking fans for their support. “The Bengals have given me everything I need to recover quickly,” Hendrickson said in a video post. “I’m following the timeline to the letter—every stretch, every drill, every rest day. I want to be back with my teammates as soon as possible.” The team is also monitoring Hendrickson’s mental health during the recovery, providing access to a sports psychologist to help him stay focused and avoid frustration. For the Cincinnati Bengals, supporting Hendrickson’s recovery isn’t just about getting him back on the field—it’s about ensuring he returns healthy and confident, with no lingering effects from the injury.

Trey Hendrickson's Injury Timeline Shared by the Cincinnati Bengals wraps up with the implications of the timeline for the Bengals’ playoff hopes and the latest updates on Hendrickson’s progress. As of Week 17, Hendrickson has completed Phase 1 of the timeline ahead of schedule: the swelling in his knee has subsided, and he has regained full range of motion, allowing him to start Phase 2 exercises three days early. “This is a positive sign, but we’re not accelerating the timeline further,” Sparling said. “We want to stay disciplined to avoid setbacks.” If Hendrickson continues to progress at this rate, he could be cleared for limited practice in Week 5 of the timeline—just in time for a potential AFC Divisional Round playoff game. For the Bengals, this means keeping a spot on the playoff roster open for Hendrickson, rather than signing a replacement defensive end. “Trey is a difference-maker in the playoffs,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “We’re holding out hope he can join us for the later rounds—his presence could be the difference between winning and losing.” For fans, the timeline has brought a mix of relief (that the injury isn’t severe) and anticipation (to see Hendrickson back in action). As the Bengals prepare for the regular-season finale, all eyes will be on Hendrickson’s recovery updates, with Who Dey Nation cheering him on every step of the way. In the end, Trey Hendrickson's Injury Timeline Shared by the Cincinnati Bengals is a story of careful planning and cautious optimism—of a team doing everything it can to get its star player back healthy, while adjusting to the challenges of the present. For the Bengals, the timeline isn’t just about Trey Hendrickson—it’s about keeping their playoff dreams alive.