The Cincinnati Bengals will play their AFC North clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 5, 2023, without standout edge rusher Trey Hendrickson for a second consecutive week. Coach Zac Taylor confirmed on Friday that Hendrickson is sidelined due to a hip and pelvis injury, which has prevented him from participating in practice throughout the week.
The nature of Hendrickson’s injury has shifted in diagnosis over the past month, and Taylor indicated that the team views his status as week-to-week. This marks the third game Hendrickson has missed this season. He originally exited the Bengals’ Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers with a back injury, which led to his absence in the subsequent game against the Steelers, a match the Bengals won. He returned for Week 8 against the New York Jets but exited during the second half after aggravating his injury.
Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season and earned his first All-Pro selection, is a crucial component of Cincinnati’s defense. After a lengthy contract negotiation this offseason, he agreed to a deal worth $29 million for the last season of his contract. This year, he has recorded four sacks and one forced fumble in seven games.
In addition to Hendrickson’s absence, rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart will also miss the upcoming game due to a knee injury sustained on November 2 against the Chicago Bears. While Stewart has been seen engaging in rehabilitation activities, Taylor did not provide a timeline for his return.
With both Hendrickson and Stewart unavailable, second-year player Cedric Johnson is expected to take on a larger role in the defensive lineup. Johnson made his season debut in Week 9 after recovering from a calf injury that had kept him on injured reserve for the first eight weeks. He emphasized the need for the defensive line to improve, noting, “We set the tone for the beginning of the play… we gotta take accountability for that, play more physical.”
Cincinnati, currently holding a record of 3-6, is eager to stay competitive in the division race. The Bengals previously defeated the Steelers 33-31 on October 16, marking one of their two AFC North victories this season. Winning at Acrisure Stadium is critical for the Bengals, as Ja’Marr Chase highlighted the necessity of this match for their playoff aspirations.
Quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been recovering from toe surgery, returned to practice this week. He underscored the importance of winning the AFC North, stating, “Everything is still there in front of us.” Despite his injury status, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is expected to make his fifth start for the Bengals. Flacco is managing a sprained right shoulder but was deemed to be in a better condition than in previous weeks.
As the Bengals prepare for this crucial matchup, they aim to strengthen their defense and improve their standing in the competitive AFC North.
