The Bengals made some key personnel calls on defense here at Paycor Stadium before Thursday night's game against the Steelers.
They put NFL sack champion Trey Hendrickson (hip) on the inactive list, breaking his streak of playing in 42 straight games.
That meant first-round pick Shemar Stewart got his second NFL start. Stewart is back for the first time since injuring his ankle in Week 2.
Also on the inactive list is cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, six weeks after he was the Opening Day starter, four weeks after he played five snaps and four days after he played 49 plays in Green Bay. Josh Newton and Marco Wilson are expected to get the bulk of his snaps with DJ Turner II and Dax Hill continuing to be the primary cornerbacks.
"We're always challenging everybody to be better. We have to coach better. He has to be better," said defensive coordinator Al. "Got to put him in better position in some of those third downs. But I think in general, whether it's Marco, DJ (Ivey), guys are always rotating in, and we're always looking to see who best fits what we're what we need in each game."
Other Inactives
A tough night for the offense because quarterback Joe Flacco lost two sure-handed tight ends. Mike Gesicki went on injured reserve earlier in the week and Tanner Hudson (concussion) was on the inactive list after his huge play Sunday in Green Bay when he caught Flacco's first Bengals touchdown pass on fourth down.
Also out were wide receiver Jermaine Burton, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, and center Matt Lee.
Slants and Screens
If the Bengals can pick Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers Thursday night, it's a first.
Rodgers and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow each have seven touchdown passes to go with no interceptions in Prime Video games. Lamar Jackson has eight against no picks …
The Bengals are looking to stop Rodgers from tying Tom Brady with the most wins on Thursday Night Football. Brady has 12 and Rodgers is at 11 with two other Patriots, Adam Vinatieri and Matthew Slater …
See the best photos of player warm-ups before kickoff of the Packers-Bengals game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.
WR Ja'Marr Chase warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
LB Demetrius Knight Jr. warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
C Ted Karras warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
WR Mitch Tinsley warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
TE Noah Fant warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
DE Shemar Stewart warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
WR Mitch Tinsley warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
RB Chase Brown warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
K Evan McPherson warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
WR Andrei Iosivas warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
QB Joe Burrow ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
WR Charlie Jones warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
DE Joseph Ossai warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
QB Joe Flacco and Bengals legend Andrew Whitworth chat ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
QB Joe Flacco warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
Fans receive autograph signings ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
QB Joe Flacco in the tunnel ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
S PJ Jules warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
CB DJ Turner II warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
WR Tee Higgins warms up ahead of Thursday Night Football Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
