The Bengals are treating Thursday like triage. Cincinnati has not ruled out Trey Hendrickson for Steelers night, listing the 2024 sack leader as questionable with a hip issue that first showed up as a back problem in Green Bay.

Hendrickson has a history of gutting through pain, and he has started 42 straight games while appearing in 71 of 73 since arriving in 2021. If he suits up, expect pitch count reality. Snap management over hero ball.

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Wideout Charlie Jones is also questionable with ribs. Guard Lucas Patrick carries a questionable tag despite being on injured reserve with a calf, which tells you how messy the week has been.

Tight end Tanner Hudson is out with a concussion after a four-catch, ten-yard, one-touchdown day, and starter Mike Gesicki hit injured reserve earlier today. That leaves Noah Fant, Drew Sample and Cam Grandy to hold together the tight end room with duct tape and route trees.

There is at least one green light.

Rookie first-rounder Shemar Stewart carries no injury designation and should see a heavy role off the edge, especially if Hendrickson’s snaps are capped. On the line, rookie left guard Dylan Fairchild logged full participation after a knee issue kept him out of Green Bay.

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Right tackle Amarius Mims missed seven snaps with a late ankle scare, returned, and practiced fully. The protection plan has a chance to stabilize.

All of this drama lands on a team that is 2-4 and riding a four-game skid.

Cincinnati needs a win to keep the AFC North conversation open. The blueprint is not complicated. Limit explosives, win field position, and find two short fields for a struggling offense. If Hendrickson can give them 30 strong snaps and Stewart flashes, the defense can drag this into the fourth quarter with a chance.

If not, the margin shrinks to a coin flip and hope.