Bengals Rookie Shemar Stewart Returns to Practice, Eyes Strong Finish to Challenging First Season
After more than a month on the sideline, Bengals rookie edge rusher Shemar Stewart was back on the practice field on December 10 - a welcome sight for a Cincinnati defense that’s seen flashes of his potential but hasn’t been able to count on him consistently just yet.
The first-round pick out of Miami hasn’t played since injuring his knee on November 2, and while it’s still uncertain whether he’ll suit up for Thursday night’s showdown against the Ravens, this return to practice is a step in the right direction. Head coach Zac Taylor isn’t making any promises, saying the team will monitor Stewart’s progress throughout the week before making a call on his game status.
For Stewart, this rookie campaign has been anything but smooth. It started with a contract standoff that kept him off the field through the entire voluntary offseason and into the first week of training camp.
The holdup? Stewart and his camp wanted more guaranteed security than the Bengals’ initial offer provided.
Eventually, the two sides found middle ground, with the team adding $500,000 in guarantees to get the deal done. Stewart officially joined the team on July 27.
But the late start put him behind the curve. And just as he was starting to get up to speed, the injury bug bit - hard.
First it was a knee injury in Week 2 against Jacksonville. Then a low ankle sprain kept him out for four more games.
When he finally returned in mid-October against the Steelers, it was clear he wasn’t quite right. He didn’t have the same burst or bend that made him such a tantalizing prospect coming out of college.
The numbers back that up. Through six games, Stewart has yet to record a sack.
He’s logged one quarterback hit, four solo tackles, and eight QB hurries on 177 defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Against the run, PFF ranks him dead last among 195 edge rushers.
Not exactly what you’d expect from a first-rounder with his physical tools - 6-foot-5, 267 pounds of raw power and athleticism.
But context matters here. Stewart’s rookie year has been a crash course in adversity.
From contract drama to back-to-back injuries, he’s faced more hurdles in a few months than many players deal with in their first few seasons. And that’s taken a toll, especially mentally.
“You know, I never missed a game in college, never missed a practice in college,” Stewart said. “And then just coming here, missing what, nine weeks, 10 weeks… it's just been hard on the mental. So just hopefully getting back out there and being myself again.”
Despite being sidelined, Stewart hasn’t checked out. Coaches have praised his engagement during meetings and film sessions, and Taylor made a point to highlight Stewart’s commitment to staying locked in.
“We've got high expectations for him, and he's worked really hard to meet those and done everything he can do,” Taylor said. “Unfortunately, he had the setback with the injury. It's nothing he can control.”
With four games left in the regular season, Stewart has a narrow window to flip the script on his rookie year. These next few weeks won’t just be about stats - they’ll be about growth, confidence, and proving to the Bengals that he can be a foundational piece moving forward.
“I feel like the next couple games will be very important for my development,” Stewart said.
And while he doesn’t regret how things unfolded earlier in the year, Stewart is clearly focused on what’s ahead - not just for himself, but for the legacy he hopes to build in Cincinnati.
“I always wanted to come in and leave a legacy, leave a lasting impact on the program and in the community,” he said. “Doing that is very important to me.
That’s why I’m trying to be back, trying to be engaged with the team, trying to be engaged with the community. Try to put my best foot forward.”
There’s still time for Stewart to make his mark this season. And if he can stay healthy and string together some consistent performances down the stretch, the Bengals might finally get a glimpse of the player they envisioned when they made him their top pick.