Latest Trey Hendrickson Injury Update Is Bad News for Bengals

Cincinnati made two noteworthy roster moves on Friday afternoon, activating defensive end Cedric Johnson from injured reserve and signing quarterback Sean Clifford to the active roster.

Johnson, a 2024 sixth-round pick, has not played this season because of a calf injury. He had seven tackles and a sack in nine games last year.

What to Know About Bengals Star Trey Hendrickson

An All-Conference USA standout at Florida Atlantic, Hendrickson has evolved into one of the game’s premier pass rushers in recent years. After spending his first three seasons with the New Orleans Saints coming off the bench, Hendrickson broke out for 13 1/2 sacks in 2020.

The Bengals immediately pounced when Hendrickson hit free agency, signing the 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end to a four-year, $60 million deal in March 2021. Hendrickson earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2021, racking up 14 sacks and forcing three fumbles for the AFC-winning Bengals. He added 3 1/2 sacks and five quarterback hits during the Bengals’ road to the Super Bowl, a journey that ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Hendrickson has recorded 47 sacks since the start of 2022 and led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last year. He earned All-Pro honors for the first time, though the Bengals finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs.

What’s Next for the Bengals?

Time is running out for the 3-5 Bengals to right the ship and avoid missing the playoffs for the third straight year. NFL Media gives the Bengals a 10% chance to reach the postseason, but those odds will increase to 15% with a win over the Bears.

FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Bengals as +2.5 home underdogs (-102; bet $100 for a $198.04 payout) as of Friday afternoon. Cincinnati has lost five of six since losing Joe Burrow to a toe injury in a Week 2 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.