Shemar Stewart was seen as part of the solution to the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive woes. However, the pass rusher suffered what appeared to be a disastrous injury that resulted in him getting carted off the practice field. The injury looked worse than it was, according to Bengals coach Zac Taylor.
Via a Thursday X report from Ian Rapoport, Taylor opened the door to getting the pass rusher back during the preseason. Based on his estimate, his Week 1 status has gone from all but ruled out to all but ruled in.
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“It’ll be several weeks, but very fortunate, because it obviously looked bad. The good news is, we’ll be getting him back sooner rather than later.”
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The Bengals will need him after finishing 31st in the NFL in yards allowed in 2025. Until he returns, the Bengals will lean on Boye Mafe, Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen and Myles Murphy.
Injury troubles raise questions with Shemar Stewart
Shemar Stewart appeared to dodge the worst with his injury. The pass rusher suffered a hyperextended knee instead of what fans feared to be a dreaded ACL tear. While Stewart dodged a bullet, the injury will cause his second notable absence in two seasons.
Stewart started his rookie season with two consecutive appearances in Week 1 and 2 in 2025. However, according to Fox Sports, Stewart suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out for roughly a month. Then, in Week 11 and 15, the pass rusher was listed as out and doubtful due to a knee injury.
Put simply, the pattern of leg injuries has begun to take shape for Stewart, who was selected No. 17 by the Bengals in 2025. Stewart will have to hope for no more injury setbacks for some time to reset the pattern. Otherwise, another set of injuries this season could be too much for the Bengals to ignore.
Will Stewart get back on the field in time to catch the Bengals-Buccaneers Week 1 contest?
Edited by Ian Van Roy
