Shemar Stewart leaves practice on a cart Wednesday. Sam Greene / Imagn Images
July 30, 2026 Updated 12:28 pm EDT
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Thursday that defensive end Shemar Stewart avoided a major injury with what turned out to be a hyperextended knee on Wednesday.
The 2025 first-round pick (No. 17) from Texas A&M was carted off on the first day of training camp after his left knee bent in the wrong direction during a play. Taylor said the Bengals were fortunate, but added that Stewart will miss several weeks.
Stewart’s injury took place during the first 11-on-11 session of training camp. On a pass play, Stewart was rushing the passer and appeared to hyperextend his left knee.
He went down immediately before being helped off the field. Trainers worked on his knee before he attempted to stand, but he could not put any weight on his left leg. Stewart appeared frustrated and was eventually carted off the practice field.
Bengals’ Shemar Stewart carted off
Paul Dehner Jr.
Stewart had an unremarkable rookie season after a contract holdout during last year’s training camp. An ankle injury suffered in Week 2 cost him four games, and a knee injury in Week 9 landed him on injured reserve for a period. He played in eight games, recording one sack.
The Bengals invested in their defensive line this offseason, signing free agents Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen, trading for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and selecting edge rusher Cashius Howell in the second round of this year’s draft.
Jul 30, 2026
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