Trey Hendrickson says his finger feels significantly better after surgery, and the Ravens expect him to return without a snap-count restriction. As the Ravens prepare for an AFC North showdown with the Cleveland Browns, Hendrickson believes he's ready to return to play.
The decision to have the procedure was delayed, but it was also in his best interest. Continuing to play through the injury wasn't the best option for his long-term health or the team's immediate needs. He spoke with the media on Thursday and acknowledged that the finger had bothered him since the season opener, leaving him little time to play at full health before the operation. The recovery period has allowed him to address the problem and prepare for his return.
"I needed it
Week 1. I've had two healthy quarters here. It's not what I planned for the offseason, but God has a plan. It's one of the things that is very humbling, but [I was] pushing through it through Week 2 and Week 3, but the best decision for everybody was getting it fixed for [the] long-term and short-term. [It's] significantly less painful, believe it or not. So, it's actually great."
Hendrickson expects to handle his usual workload upon returning. His confidence comes partly from the work he's done away from the field. While the procedure kept him out of Baltimore's previous two games, he credited the team's strength coaches with helping him maintain his conditioning so he wouldn't need an extended ramp-up period once he returned.
"We have a great staff that is going through what that'll look like and what the final product will be. That's obviously an ongoing process, so we're just working it out... I think the strength coaches have done a great job of keeping me in shape over the last couple weeks. It's my job as a professional to be ready, and that's what I plan on doing."
Head coach Jesse Minter indicated that the Ravens don't expect to impose snap-count restrictions on Hendrickson, a welcome development for a defense looking to strengthen its pass rush against Cleveland. The outside linebacker still needs to work through the details of protecting his finger during games, but he doesn't view that process as a reason to lower his expectations.
A healthier Hendrickson could boost Baltimore's pass rush. The encouraging sign is that he already feels a significant difference after the procedure. Baltimore still must translate that improvement into production on the field, particularly against a Browns offense that allowed Deshaun Watson eight sacks last week. Hendrickson's return would give the Ravens another disruptive presence and could create more opportunities for the rest of the defensive front.
His availability and protection plan will ultimately determine how the return unfolds, but Hendrickson has made his expectations clear. After choosing surgery to address the problem rather than continue pushing through it, he intends to be ready for the workload Baltimore needs him to handle.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Trey Hendrickson expects full workload in Ravens return vs. Browns
