The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into a critical Week 14 matchup against the Buffalo Bills without one of their most impactful defensive stars. Trey Hendrickson, the NFL’s current sack leader, has been ruled out with a lingering hip and pelvis injury - a blow to a Bengals pass rush that’s looked noticeably different without him on the field.
This isn’t a new development for Hendrickson or the Bengals. The defensive end has missed four of the team’s last five games, including the high-scoring Week 9 shootout loss to the Bears and divisional battles against Pittsburgh, New England, and Baltimore. His absence has been felt - not just in the box score, but in the way opposing quarterbacks have had more time to operate in the pocket.
The injury dates back to Week 6, when Hendrickson first went down during a loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field. He returned briefly, but things took a turn in Week 8 against the Jets.
Late in the second quarter, Hendrickson was on the receiving end of a block from behind by Jets lineman John Simpson - a play that left him writhing in pain and ultimately sidelined him for the rest of the game. He limped off just before halftime and didn’t return.
That aggravation to his hip set off a stretch of missed games, including Week 7’s Thursday Night Football win over Pittsburgh, when he was listed as questionable. During that broadcast, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit didn’t mince words, calling the Bengals’ pass rush “a non-factor” without Hendrickson. And it’s hard to argue - Cincinnati’s front has struggled to generate consistent pressure without its top disruptor.
It’s worth noting that Hendrickson had been a name to watch leading up to the 2025 trade deadline. ESPN ranked him No. 1 on their list of top 25 players who could be on the move, and analyst Bill Barnwell even floated a potential deal to the Detroit Lions. That move never materialized, but it speaks to the level of interest a player of Hendrickson’s caliber generates across the league.
On the offensive side, there’s a bit of good news for the Bengals. Wide receiver Tee Higgins has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to suit up against the Bills - a much-needed boost for a Cincinnati offense that’s been searching for rhythm.
As for Buffalo, they’ll be without a pair of key defensive starters: Joey Bosa and Terrel Bernard have both been ruled out. That could open up opportunities for the Bengals offense, especially with Higgins back in the fold.
Still, the spotlight remains on the Bengals’ defense - and how it holds up without its top pass rusher. Hendrickson has been the engine of Cincinnati’s front seven all season. Without him, the Bengals will need someone else to step up and generate pressure, or risk giving Josh Allen and the Bills far too much time to work.