Trey Hendrickson's trying 2025 season could be headed for a premature conclusion.
The Bengals' star edge rusher is set to visit Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia's Vincera Institute and is likely to undergo core muscle surgery, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Monday, per sources.
Surgery would end Hendrickson's 2025 season, per Rapoport and Pelissero.
Hendrickson first suffered what is being described as a hip injury during Cincinnati's Week 6 loss to the Green Bay Packers and managed to suit up one more time for the Bengals' Week 8 loss to the New York Jets before heading to the sideline indefinitely. He hasn't taken the field since late October, and as it currently stands, he might have already played his final down for the Bengals.
Though he ended up playing seven games for Cincinnati, Hendrickson's participation in 2025 was once far from guaranteed. After consecutive 17.5-sack seasons and a lucrative offseason for other edge-rushing stars, Hendrickson angled for a contract that rewarded his production and brought his compensation closer to the likes of Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt.
Cincinnati refused to budge throughout the offseason, leading to a prolonged contact dispute with entering the 2025 season, a conflict that was only resolved by a contract revision for the final year of his deal. In short, Hendrickson accepted a raise while acknowledging he didn't receive the long-term security he sought.
Months later, the value of such security has never been more apparent.
Hendrickson's recent difficulties with the Bengals and Cincinnati's tightening financial situation suggest he's likely headed elsewhere as a free agent in 2026. The Bengals could tag him, but it would be an expensive one that might be cost prohibitive for a team that is dedicating a significant portion of its cap to a franchise quarterback and two star receivers.
If this is it for Hendrickson in Cincinnati, he'll close his time with the Bengals with 61 sacks, four Pro Bowl trips and a first-team All-Pro selection (2024) over five seasons. He'll also likely command significant demand on the open market in March if the Bengals let him walk.
