Bengals Get Major Update on Trey Hendrickson Ahead of Jets Game
The Cincinnati Bengals stopped their free fall in Week 7 with a huge victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Now, they draw a Week 8 matchup against the winless New York Jets, and if all goes according to plan, they will push their record back to .500 by picking up a victory on Sunday afternoon.
Making the Bengals’ win over the Steelers even more impressive was the fact that they managed to do so without having their best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson, on the field for them. Hendrickson missed the game with a hip injury that is still bothering him, but ahead of the team’s upcoming action, he has received a big update regarding his status for the contest.
Trey Hendrickson Expected to Play for Bengals in Week 8
Bengals defensive and Trey Hendrickson (questionable, hip) is expected to play Sunday versus Jets, per source.
In what is beginning to feel like a yearly routine, Hendrickson and the Bengals engaged in a contract stalemate that meant his future with the team was one of the biggest storylines throughout the offseason. Eventually, the two sides agreed on a revised deal that gave him a $14 million raise for the 2025 campaign. In other words, this is an issue that will once again be revisited over the upcoming offseason.
With Cincy losing four straight games in the wake of Joe Burrow’s turf toe injury, questions about Hendrickson’s future began to pop up once again, as some teams were checking in on him as a potential trade target. Now that the Bengals are one win away from getting their record back to the .500 mark, though, any hope teams had of trading for Hendrickson has likely vanished.
Of course, after he missed Week 7, getting Hendrickson back on the field was a big goal for Cincinnati in Week 8. The expectation was always that Hendrickson would be able to play after missing the win over the Steelers, and sure enough, reports have emerged indicating that the reigning sack champion is set to suit up against the Jets.
“Bengals defensive and Trey Hendrickson (questionable, hip) is expected to play Sunday versus Jets, per source,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN shared in a post on X.
Bengals Set to be Heavily Favored in Upcoming Jets’ Clash
GettyTrey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals.
With Joe Flacco taking over under center for the Bengals after getting acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, things are finally looking up for Cincinnati moving forward. The offense has a plethora of weapons for Flacco to utilize, and the defense appears set to get a major boost with the return of Hendrickson, who is one of the most disruptive players in the entire league.
New York may be winless, but the team is going to continue playing hard in an effort to earn first-year head coach Aaron Glenn the first victory of his career. It seems like Tyrod Taylor is on track to start this game instead of Justin Fields, which may actually make the Jets’ offense better, but the Bengals are going to be favored to win, regardless of who is
KEVIN O'CONNELL DECLARES: 'DEFEAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND COME BACK STRONGER!'
After a tough loss, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell shared a powerful message that resonates with the team and its fans. Despite a series of setbacks, O'Connell's outlook remains one of resilience and determination, focusing on the lessons to be learned from each defeat and the strength to rise again.
"Every loss carries valuable lessons that we can draw from to become stronger," O'Connell remarked in his post-game interview. "I understand that we won’t always win every game, but what’s important is how we get back up after each setback. The team is not just about individuals, it’s about unity and collective commitment. I’m committed to doing everything I can to guide this team through these challenges, not just in terms of strategy, but in spirit as well. This is an opportunity for us to grow, for me and for the other players to learn from our mistakes, improving in every game and at every practice. Defeat is temporary, but determination and willpower never fade. Our goal remains to win, and I believe we will overcome this challenge and come out stronger in the next phase."
O'Connell’s words reflect a leadership style that values both personal and collective growth. He acknowledges that losing is part of the game, but the most crucial part is how the team responds. Rather than allowing the loss to demoralize the players, O'Connell is using it as a stepping stone to fuel the team’s progress. His message was clear: growth and improvement are born from adversity, and setbacks are just temporary.
The Minnesota Vikings have faced their share of difficulties this season, but O'Connell remains confident that the team’s resilience will lead them through. Under his leadership, the Vikings are focused on building from their mistakes and focusing on the larger goal—winning. While this journey may be filled with challenges, O'Connell’s unwavering belief in his team’s potential gives the players the strength to keep pushing forward.
"Our journey is far from over, and each setback we face only makes us more determined," O'Connell added. "The goal is not just to win games but to grow stronger as a unit, to improve day by day, and to come back from every challenge as a better team."
As the Vikings continue to push through the remainder of the season, O'Connell's leadership and perspective on overcoming adversity will play a pivotal role in how the team moves forward. His belief in the power of growth, teamwork, and resilience is shaping the team’s future, and with this mindset, the Vikings are poised to turn their challenges into opportunities for success.
