2 Key Cincinnati Bengals Miss Practice

The Cincinnati Bengals may be without two of their key players in the trenches for their Week 15 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson and tight end Hayden Hurst both missed their third-straight practices, jeopardizing their availability for Sunday.

Bengals players not practicing during the open portion inside the bubble:
CB Mike Hilton
CB Jalen Davis
TE Hayden Hurst
DE Trey Hendrickson

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 16, 2022

Hendrickson sustained a wrist injury in the Bengals' Week 14 23-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. Hurst missed Week 14 with a calf injury suffered in a Week 13 27-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Of the two, Hendrickson's absence would likely be the bigger loss. He has compiled an impressive 20 sacks in 29 appearances with the Bengals since 2021, and he has earned an impressive 81.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus this year for his play. Hurst has started 12 games this year and nabbed 48 receptions for 400 yards, but his mediocre 6.3 yards per target indicate the surging Bengals passing attack should be fine without him.

Hendrickson joined the Bengals via free agency in 2021 on a four-year, $60 million deal and has so far earned every penny. He spent the first four years of his career with the New Orleans Saints, breaking out in 2020 with a 13.5 sack campaign. Hurst has bounced around the league since being drafted 25th overall in 2018, beginning his career with the Baltimore Ravens and then playing two years with the Atlanta Falcons. He joined the Bengals this offseason on a one-year, $3.5 million deal.

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