CINCINNATI, Ohio — The NFL finalized its Week 17 schedule on Wednesday, and that includes when the matchup between the Bengals and Cardinals will be. The two teams will play on Sunday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. with FOX broadcasting the game.

CINCINNATI — ESPN's Field Yates dropped his latest 2026 NFL mock draft on Wednesday morning and slotted a defensive mauler with the Bengals at Pick 10. Cincinnati selected Miami (FL) edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the top-tier selection. ESPN's Football Power Index gives Cincinnati a 52.4% chance of landing a top-10 pick at 4-9 overall.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins now has a chance to play in Week 15 after the team provided a positive injury update on his concussion on Wednesday.

The Bengals lost, 39-34, to fall to 4-9 and all but eliminate their playoff chances. Even if they go on a winning streak like they did last season, the Bengals can only max out at 8-9. Their only saving grace is the Steelers lead the AFC North at 7-6, but that's still three games behind with four to play.

If Hendrickson’s time in Cincinnati is finished, he will find himself ranked in the Top 10 in NFL history in an impressive category. With 61 sacks in 72 games with the Bengals, Hendrickson averaged 0.85 per contest. That puts him the Top 10 in NFL history for most sacks per game with a franchise.