There aren’t a ton of interesting storylines heading into this week’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets. The Bengals are relying on a 40-year-old quarterback to build off an impressive win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, and that’s about it.
The real headlines, however, are all about injuries. Who will even be playing? Several impact players’ health situations could significantly influence the outcome of this game.
### Bengals Defensive End Trey Hendrickson’s Status
The big injury concern for the Bengals is, of course, defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Even when Hendrickson is on the field, the Bengals’ defense has struggled, so missing the NFL’s reigning sack leader would be a major blow. Hendrickson was limited at Thursday’s practice with a hip injury but appears to have a real chance to play on Sunday. Facing the Jets should motivate anyone to get out on the field.
### Jets’ Questionable Quarterback Situation
Which quarterback will the Bengals face on Sunday? Stop me if you’ve heard this one: the Jets once again have an awful quarterback situation. Justin Fields was benched last week as the Jets dropped their seventh straight game to start the 2025 season.
Starting 0-7 is one thing, but it’s another when the team owner publicly calls his own quarterback “hot garbage.” Woody Johnson didn’t hold back this week:
> “It’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that he’s got. I mean, he has ability, but something just is not jiving. If we can just complete a pass, it would look good.”
And to all the Bengals fans out there who complain about the Brown family — Mike Brown would never say something that stupid and inappropriate.
As of now, the Jets still don’t know who their starting quarterback will be against the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday. Fields was benched for Tyrod Taylor, but Taylor has been limited in practice this week with a knee injury and has been splitting first-team reps.
When asked about his status, Taylor said:
> “I have no anticipation for it. My mind and my sole focus is being available and ready to be able to lead this team when called upon.”
Head coach Aaron Glenn listed Taylor as “day-to-day,” so expect updates as Sunday approaches.
### Sauce Gardner Injury Could Impact the Bengals
The injury that should concern Bengals fans the most is that of Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. Gardner has been an elite corner in the NFL, but if he’s anything like anyone else associated with the Jets, he’d probably rather just curl up in a ball and die.
This moribund franchise doesn’t do much to motivate a player to fight through an injury for the green and white. In Gardner’s case, it won’t be up to him whether he plays against the Bengals — he’s currently dealing with a concussion.
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With key players on both sides battling injuries and uncertainty at quarterback for the Jets, Sunday’s game promises to be an intriguing matchup despite the lack of traditional storylines. Bengals fans will be watching closely to see who takes the field and who makes the biggest impact.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/trey-hendrickson-new-york-cincinnati-sauce-tyrod-fields/
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