Trey Hendrickson’s 2025 season looks like it’s coming to an early and unfortunate end.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ star defensive end - and the NFL’s current sack leader - is expected to undergo core muscle surgery, a procedure that would sideline him for the remainder of the season. While the surgery hasn’t been finalized just yet, multiple reports indicate it’s the likely outcome as Hendrickson continues to deal with a lingering hip injury that’s kept him off the field since Week 8.
Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed Hendrickson will be out for the Bengals’ pivotal Week 15 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Taylor also noted that the veteran pass rusher will meet with a specialist to evaluate the injury further, but the writing appears to be on the wall.
Hendrickson first aggravated the injury during a tough Week 8 loss to the Jets. The play that re-aggravated it was especially tough to watch - a late block from behind by Jets offensive lineman John Simpson left Hendrickson writhing in pain on the turf. He hasn’t played a snap since.
Even before that game, Hendrickson had already missed time. He was inactive for the Bengals’ Week 7 Thursday night win over the Steelers, and the difference was noticeable.
During the broadcast, Kirk Herbstreit didn’t mince words: without Hendrickson, Cincinnati’s pass rush was virtually nonexistent. That’s the kind of impact he has - game-changing, snap to snap.
It’s a brutal blow for a Bengals defense that relies heavily on Hendrickson’s ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. He’s been the engine of their pass rush, and with him off the field, Cincinnati’s defensive front loses a major piece of its identity.
There was also some intrigue off the field earlier this season. The Green Bay Packers reportedly made a serious push to acquire Hendrickson before ultimately landing Micah Parsons from the Cowboys in a blockbuster deal that included two first-round picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark. That’s how highly Hendrickson is valued - teams were willing to make major moves to get him.
And Cincinnati knows his worth, too. Back in August, the Bengals gave Hendrickson a significant raise - $14 million added to his deal - bumping his 2025 salary to $30 million. That kind of investment speaks volumes about what he means to this franchise, both on and off the field.
Now, the Bengals will have to navigate the stretch run without their top pass rusher. And while there’s still talent on that defensive line, replacing Hendrickson’s production - and the attention he commands from opposing offenses - won’t be easy.
For a team still fighting to stay in the playoff picture, this is a major test.