Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Outlook Adds Uncertainty for the Cincinnati Bengals

As the Cincinnati Bengals gear up for a critical stretch of the season, a cloud of uncertainty has settled over their defense: star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has been listed as doubtful for their upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills due to a knee injury sustained in Week 15. For a team already navigating defensive inconsistencies, Hendrickson’s potential absence isn’t just a single-player setback—it’s a disruption to their pass-rush strategy, defensive chemistry, and overall playoff hopes. Hendrickson, who leads the Bengals with 9 sacks this season, has been the backbone of their edge defense, using his speed and strength to pressure quarterbacks and disrupt opposing offenses. Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Outlook Adds Uncertainty for the Cincinnati Bengals explores the ripple effects of his questionable status, from the team’s search for a replacement to the adjustments needed in their defensive scheme, and why this injury couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Outlook Adds Uncertainty for the Cincinnati Bengals begins with the injury’s timeline and severity—why “doubtful” raises red flags. Hendrickson left the Bengals’ Week 15 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter after colliding with a Colts offensive lineman. Initial reports suggested a minor knee sprain, but subsequent practices told a different story: he sat out Wednesday and Thursday’s sessions, and the team’s Friday injury report officially labeled him “doubtful” (meaning there’s a 75% chance he won’t play). Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has been cautious in his comments, only stating, “We’re taking it day by day with Trey—his health is our top priority.” For fans and analysts, the “doubtful” tag is worrying because Hendrickson has a history of playing through minor injuries; his decision to sit out practice signals the issue is more significant than initially thought. Without clarity on how long he might be sidelined, the Bengals are left preparing for two scenarios—with and without their top pass rusher—adding layers of complexity to their game plan.

A key concern tied to Hendrickson’s absence is his irreplaceable role in the Bengals’ pass rush. Video analysis and game stats make it clear: Hendrickson isn’t just a sack artist—he’s the engine that drives the entire defensive line. This season, he’s recorded 9 sacks, 15 quarterback hits, and 3 forced fumbles, but his impact goes beyond numbers. When Hendrickson is on the field, opponents are forced to double-team him, freeing up teammates like DJ Reader and B.J. Hill to pressure the quarterback or stop the run. In Week 12 against the Houston Texans, for example, Hendrickson drew two blockers on 70% of his snaps, allowing linebacker Logan Wilson to record a sack and a forced fumble. “Trey commands attention every time he lines up,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. “When he’s not there, offenses can shift their focus to other players, and that breaks down our entire pass-rush rhythm.” Without him, the Bengals lose their most consistent threat to disrupt quarterbacks—a major problem against the Bills, who have a mobile quarterback in Josh Allen who excels at escaping pressure.

Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Outlook Adds Uncertainty for the Cincinnati Bengals also includes the search for a replacement—thin depth at edge rusher for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals’ biggest challenge isn’t just losing Hendrickson—it’s the lack of proven talent behind him. The top candidates to fill his spot are Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy, but neither has shown the ability to replicate Hendrickson’s production. Ossai, a third-year player, has 3 sacks this season but struggles with consistency; he’s been flagged for 4 penalties in the past five games, including two costly roughing-the-passer calls. Murphy, a 2023 first-round pick, has just 1 sack and has struggled to adjust to the NFL’s speed. In practice this week, the Bengals have also experimented with shifting defensive tackle B.J. Hill to the edge, but Hill lacks the speed to pressure quarterbacks from the outside. “We have options, but none of them are Trey,” Anarumo admitted. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this thin depth means they’ll likely have to rely on a rotation of players rather than a single replacement—a strategy that could lead to inconsistent pressure and give Allen more time to make plays.

Another layer of uncertainty is scheme adjustments—changing the defense to compensate for the loss for the Cincinnati Bengals. With Hendrickson out, the Bengals can’t run their usual pass-rush schemes, which rely on his ability to win one-on-one matchups. Instead, Anarumo has had to design new strategies, including more blitzes from linebackers and defensive backs, and shifting the defensive line to create mismatches. In practice, the Bengals have run more “zone blitzes,” where a linebacker or safety rushes the quarterback while a defensive lineman drops into coverage. While this strategy can confuse offenses, it also leaves the secondary vulnerable to deep passes—something the Bills’ wide receivers (including Stefon Diggs) can exploit. “Scheme adjustments are necessary, but they’re not ideal,” said a former NFL defensive coordinator. “Every time you change your scheme, you’re asking players to do something they haven’t practiced as much, which increases the risk of mistakes.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, these adjustments also mean more work for the secondary, which has already struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. If the blitzes don’t work, the secondary could be left exposed, leading to big plays for the Bills.

A final concern is the impact on team morale and playoff momentum for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have won three of their past four games, building momentum as they fight for a wildcard spot. Hendrickson’s injury threatens to derail that momentum, as players and coaches are forced to focus on adjustments rather than building on their recent success. In the locker room, players have expressed confidence in their ability to overcome the loss, but there’s no denying the emotional impact of losing a key leader. Hendrickson is one of the team’s most respected players; he’s known for his work ethic and his ability to rally teammates during tough times. “Trey’s presence on the field and in the locker room is huge,” said Wilson. “We’ll miss that, but we also know we have to step up.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, maintaining morale will be just as important as adjusting their scheme; if the team lets the uncertainty affect their confidence, it could lead to a costly loss against the Bills.

Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Outlook Adds Uncertainty for the Cincinnati Bengals wraps up with the stakes of the Bills game—why this injury is so timely. The Bengals’ game against the Bills isn’t just a regular-season contest—it’s a chance to prove they belong among the AFC’s elite and strengthen their playoff resume. A win would give them a critical edge in the wildcard race, while a loss could push them out of the playoff picture. With Hendrickson doubtful, the odds are stacked against them: the Bills have one of the league’s best offenses, led by Allen, and a defense that ranks top-10 in total yards allowed. “This is a make-or-break game, and losing Trey makes it that much harder,” said a Bengals team insider. While the Bengals have shown resilience in the past—they won two games without Higgins earlier this season—this loss is different. Hendrickson is irreplaceable in their defense, and the uncertainty around his status has left the team in limbo. Trey Hendrickson's Doubtful Outlook Adds Uncertainty for the Cincinnati Bengals ultimately shows that in the NFL, injuries are part of the game—but some injuries carry more weight than others. For the Bengals, this one could determine whether their season ends in January or December.