Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson placed on IR after core muscle surgery, could miss remainder of season
Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks last season, hasn't played since Week 8
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The 4-9 Cincinnati Bengals are playing for their playoff lives, but they will have to find a way to win the AFC North without one of their most important defensive playmakers as pass rusher Trey Hendrickson was placed on injured reserve Thursday due to a hip/pelvis injury.
Hendrickson had surgery to correct the issue and could be sidelined for around six weeks, according to ESPN. That means he's in danger of missing the remainder of the regular season.
Hendrickson has not played since Week 8. In seven games played this season, he has recorded 16 tackles, eight QB hits, four sacks and three tackles for loss. Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5, and became just the fifth player in NFL history to record 17 sacks in back-to-back seasons. He recorded 49% of the Bengals' sacks last season, which was the highest rate in the NFL and the eighth-highest percentage in NFL history. Cincinnati had the NFL's leader in passing yards with Joe Burrow, the NFL's leader in receiving yards with Ja'Marr Chase and the sack king in Hendrickson, yet still missed the playoffs.
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After yet another contract-related standoff this offseason, Hendrickson agreed to accept a $14 million raise in August to bring his 2025 salary to $30 million. It's possible he has played his last down with the Bengals, as the 31-year-old is set to hit free agency.
Following the Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Bengals are going to need some help to make the postseason. The 7-6 Pittsburgh Steelers have a 73% chance to win the AFC North, while the Bengals have a 3.1% chance to capture the division and make the playoffs, according to SportsLine.
Cincinnati has a home game with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday before facing the Miami Dolphins on the road in Week 16 and closing out the season by hosting the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17 and the Cleveland Browns in Week 18.
