Defensive end Trey Hendrickson was placed on the Cincinnati Bengals’ injured list on Thursday, ending his season.
The star player will undergo abdominal muscle surgery. He has missed six games this season, including the last five, with a hip and pelvis injury.
The move to the injured list ends a frustrating season for Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season. He is in the final year of a restructured contract worth US$29 million after going on strike during Ohio’s training camp.
In seven games this year, Hendrickson has made 16 tackles and four sacks.
Without Hendrickson, the Bengals were limited to 21 sacks, the fourth-lowest total in the league. The Bengals’ defense also ranks near the bottom of the league in most categories heading into Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Hendrickson is expected to test the free agent market this offseason. He signed with the Bengals in 2021, and his 61 quarterback sacks over the last five campaigns place him fourth in the NFL in this regard during this period.
