Right as the Cincinnati Bengals lose defensive end Sam Hubbard to injury, Trey Hendrickson could step right back into the fray.
Buy Bengals TicketsHubbard is out with a calf injury, potentially until the playoffs or longer. Hendrickson suffered a broken wrist he played through two weeks ago and coaches weren’t willing to rule him out for the win over the Bucs.
While Hendrickson didn’t end up playing in that game, it sounds like he’ll be back for the game against the Patriots on Christmas Eve. According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, there is “optimism” Hendrickson will make his return.
That would be a huge boost to the defense, with or without Hubbard, as Hendrickson is one of the league’s best pressure-creators. It would mean he starts, with Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample taking Hubbard’s duties on the opposite side.