(This story was updated to add new information.)
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson suffered an injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
Hendrickson remained down for a notable amount of time before slowly walking off the field with trainers. On the sidelines, they took his helmet and went to the blue medical tent.
Hendrickson is by far the best overall player on defense and the only source of reliable pass-rush. Hendrickson is the one piece on that side of the ball that the Bengals can’t afford to lose.
If Hendrickson misses time, the Bengals are nearing the return of former first-rounder Myles Murphy from injured reserve. But making up for a T.J. Watt-level pass-rusher in terms of efficiency would be near-impossible.
Update: The Bengals ruled Hendrickson out with a neck injury.
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