The Cincinnati Bengals have been dealing with a series of injuries that have ravaged their defensive line over the past two months, creating a situation far worse than they initially anticipated. What was once a deep and formidable defensive front now looks nothing like the team envisioned back in July.
One key absence is second-year edge rusher Myles Murphy, who was placed on the Reserve/Injured list following a knee sprain in the final week of training camp. Expected to miss four-to-six weeks, Murphy has been sidelined through Week 4, leaving the Bengals without their first edge rusher off the bench at a critical time.
The Bengals Need Myles Murphy Back Urgently
With Murphy working toward a return after Week 4, the Bengals’ starting defensive ends have had drastically different seasons. Trey Hendrickson is delivering yet another Pro Bowl-level performance, currently tied for eighth in the NFL with three sacks. His pass-rush win rates are impressive—36.7% according to Pro Football Focus and tied for first in ESPN’s rankings at 33%.
On the opposite side, Sam Hubbard has struggled mightily. His pass-rush win rates are among the lowest in the league—6.7% by PFF and 5% by ESPN. Against the run, Hubbard has missed nearly 19% of his tackle opportunities, which would be a career high if the season ended today. His drop in production has left the Bengals vulnerable, and without Murphy available to rotate in, they have few options to address the issue.
Murphy was set for an expanded role this season after closing his rookie year on a high note and showing significant progress during training camp. Unfortunately, his knee injury occurred just as Hubbard recovered from his own preseason knee issue, preventing Murphy from taking the field when the Bengals needed him most.
Now, things have gone from bad to worse. According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, Hubbard is also nursing a Grade 3 hamstring injury, adding further strain to a defense already struggling with depth. Murphy, meanwhile, remains on I.R. and will miss at least one more game.
A Decline in Production for Hubbard
Hubbard’s struggles aren’t entirely new. Last season, he battled an ankle injury that required surgery, and his body has taken a significant toll over the past 12 months. This could be contributing to his current decline, which is particularly concerning for a player who has long been a cornerstone of the Bengals’ defense.
Making matters worse, other key defensive linemen like Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill are also dealing with hamstring injuries, and Joseph Ossai has been ineffective in his snaps on the edge. The Bengals are desperate for another pass-rusher to complement Hendrickson, but so far, they’ve had no answers.
With Murphy still sidelined, Cincinnati will have to rely on Hubbard for at least one more game. As they continue to struggle defensively, the Bengals are in dire need of reinforcements—especially from a player like Murphy, whose absence is proving more costly than anyone could have imagined.
