CINCINNATI – Already without their star quarterback, the Cincinnati Bengals had to enter Thursday’s game against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers without their best defensive player.

Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson did not dress Thursday night when the Bengals prepared to face the Steelers. The reigning NFL sacks leader, Hendrickson suffered a hip injury during Cincinnati’s loss to the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday.

Hendrickson had four sacks in six games this season. He has 9 ½ sacks in eight career games against the Steelers.

Also injured during the game in Green Bay was tight end Tanner Hudson (concussion), who likewise was designated inactive against the Steelers.

The NFL’s reigning passing yardage leader, Joe Burrow, missed a fifth consecutive Bengals game because of a toe injury.

Surprise scratch

Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was an unexpected healthy scratch Thursday for the Bengals. Taylor-Britt had started each of the games he played for Cincinnati in 2023 and 2024 and started the opener this season. He played 80% of the Bengals’ defensive snaps Sunday against the Packers.

Taylor-Britt had an interception return for a touchdown during the Steelers’ most recent game in Cincinnati, last Dec. 1.

The Bengals’ other healthy scratches were offensive lineman Matt Lee, receiver Jermaine Burton and defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson.

Steelers inactives

Offensive lineman Andrus Peat, defensive lineman Logan Lee and edge defender DeMarvin Leal were the Steelers’ healthy scratches Thursday. None of those three played Sunday in the Steelers’ previous game, either. Peat has yet to appear in a game yet this season.

The injury to Miles Killebrew in part resulted to veteran safety Chuck Clark returning to the lineup after he was deemed inactive against the Browns. Killebrew was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

The Steelers announced Wednesday that receiver Calvin Austin III would miss a second consecutive game. Austin suffered a shoulder injury during the Steelers’ Sept. 28 win in Dublin.

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