Bengals lose star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (back) in setback vs. Packers

Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson left Sunday's 27-18 road loss to the Green Bay Packers with a back injury and did not return.

Hendrickson, the NFL's sack leader in 2024, exited late in the second quarter at Lambeau Field and was ruled out early in the third after initially being listed as questionable.

The Bengals (2-4) also ruled out tight end Mike Gesicki with a left pectoral injury during the loss to the Packers (3-1-1).

Broadcast cameras showed Hendrickson grimacing in pain on the sideline before heading to the locker room with trainers just before halftime. He had recorded two tackles before his exit as the Bengals' defense limited Green Bay to one touchdown in the first half.

Coming into the game, Hendrickson had recorded four sacks, one forced fumble and 13 tackles in four games this season.

Hendrickson had again become the subject of trade rumors after a toe turf injury to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sent their season into a spiral. Over the offseason, reports surfaced that several teams -- including Carolina, Cleveland and Indianapolis -- had inquired about trading for the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher. The Packers also were said to have pursued Hendrickson before ultimately acquiring All-Pro Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in a blockbuster deal.

Cincinnati has fourth-year player Joseph Ossai as the other starting defensive end, with third-year player Myles Murphy backing up Hendrickson and 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart (ankle) possibly back next week after missing four games.

The 29-year-old Hendrickson, a first-time All-Pro last season, signed a revised contract with Cincinnati in the offseason that included a $14 million raise, boosting his 2025 salary to $29 million.

Hendrickson spent his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, who selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In 115 games (86 starts) over nine seasons with the Saints (2017-20) and Bengals (2021-present), he has compiled 81 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and 233 tackles.

--Field Level Media