The long-time Bengals defense end could have played his last snap in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bengals are 6-8 heading into their final three-game stretch against the Browns, Broncos, and Steelers, but they’ve been hit with more bad injury news.
According to Charlie Clifford, starting defensive end Sam Hubbard is out for the season with a PCL injury. Head coach Zac Taylor later confirmed the injury but wasn’t ready to rule Hubbard out for the rest of the year.
Hubbard, who lines up opposite Trey Hendrickson, has had another challenging season. He’s been battling a hamstring injury that nearly required surgery but chose to play through it instead. Unfortunately, the injury has hindered his effectiveness as an edge defender, He was also hindered by injuries in 2023.
In a rare moment of offensive glory, Hubbard lined up as an eligible receiver at tight end on Sunday and caught a touchdown pass from Joe Burrow — the first offensive touchdown of his career.
Sadly, Hubbard injured his knee on the play and is now likely done for the year. With over $11 million owed to him in 2025, some speculate that this touchdown could mark the end of his time with the Bengals. If nothing else, he needs to be brought back at a drastically reduced price.
On the offensive side, right guard Alex Cappa is currently in concussion protocol, though he reportedly “feels good,” per Taylor. Cappa has struggled in 2025, and his absence against the Browns would further strain an already depleted offensive line. Orlando Brown Jr. is dealing with an injury, Cody Ford missed last week’s game against the Titans due to illness, and Cordell Volson was recently benched but was forced back into the lineup due to Brown and Ford being out.
The Bengals face a precarious situation heading into this crucial stretch. Stay tuned for updates as these stories unfold throughout the week.
