Zac Taylor throws cold water on the Bengals’ more pressing injury aside from Joe Burrow
Taylor didn’t have the best of news for Cincinnati’s top defensive player.
Getting Joe Burrow back and practicing is great news for Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals, but Burrow is still likely a couple weeks away from suiting up for a game. He also doesn’t play defense, which is the Bengals’ more pressing issue keeping them from winning games at the moment.
Defensive end Trey Hendrickson does play on that side of the ball, and he’s still dealing with a hip injury he originally suffered back in Week 6. Hendrickson has missed most of Cincinnati’s last three games, but he did get some needed rest over the bye week.
Was it enough rest to play this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers? Taylor isn’t too hopeful at the moment.
Zac Taylor delivers unfortunate Trey Hendrickson injury update
Cincinnati had its first light practice coming off the bye week Monday, and Taylor told reporters beforehand it would be unlikely Hendrickson plays Sunday.
“I think he’ll be doubtful this week,” Taylor said.
Hendrickson only missed one game, the Bengals’ Week 7 win over the Steelers, before returning for Week 8 against the New York Jets. He played 23 snaps in that game before taking a block to his hip and re-aggravating his injury. Some inside the Bengals’ organization took exception to the hit according to NFL insider Jordan Shultz.
Cincinnati’s defense has felt Hendrickson’s absence immensely since he left that game. The Bengals have lost two games in a row thanks to defensive collapses and minimal pass rush. Myles Murphy, Shemar Stewart, and Joseph Ossai have been getting the lion’s share of snaps on the edge, and the three of them have combined for 14 pressures in those two games. Ossai is the only one of the three with a sack and quarterback hit.
The Bengals will release their first official practice report Wednesday afternoon. Expect Hendrickson to be listed with his hip injury, and either a limited or non-participant.
Cincinnati Bengals News
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Joe Burrow keeps the door open as much as possible in first press conference back from turf toe injury
