The Cincinnati Bengals opened Week 2 of the NFL preseason with a win that felt morelike a warning than a celebration. Cincinnati looked porous defensively without Trey Hendrickson, as Washington’s run game carved through the starting unit from the opening sequence. Hendrickson remains away from practice and sideline in the middle of a contract dispute over guaranteed money, even as he nears a resolution in terms of annual value and length. The Bengals reportedly would guarantee only one year, keeping any long-term guarantees at bay while Hendrickson weighs his options. Joe Burrow signaled deals tend to land late, around Week 1, which aligns with Hendrickson’s timing and the team’s cap calculus. Washington, meanwhile, sat Brian Robinson Jr. for trade-talk reasons, yet the Commanders still executed multiple productive early carries against Cincinnati’s defense. This tug-of-war over guarantees adds a layer of drama to the upcoming season, particularly for fantasy managers who count Hendrickson’s sacks as a cornerstone of their defensive stacks. Hendrickson’s Pro Bowl pedigree and 17.5 sacks last season keep his upside intact, but the holdout introduces volatility at a critical juncture. The developing contract dynamic could shape Cincinnati’s defensive identity and Week 1 readiness, making Hendrickson a high-leverage but high-uncertainty asset for fantasy rosters until a deal lands.