Bengals place DE Shemar Stewart on IR; misses at least four weeks due to knee injury
The Cincinnati Bengals have placed rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart on injured reserve due to a knee injury, marking yet another setback in his inaugural NFL season.
Why it matters: Stewart’s injury comes at a critical juncture for the Bengals, who are striving to solidify their defensive line as they make a push for playoff contention.
- The loss of Stewart, who was drafted in the first round, diminishes the team's depth and complicates its ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
- Stewart's absence will be felt particularly given that he has already been sidelined this season due to an ankle injury, missing four games earlier.
What’s new: Stewart suffered the knee injury during the Bengals' Week 9 loss to the Chicago Bears and will miss at least four weeks while on injured reserve.
- This places him out of action until at least Week 13, significantly impacting the Bengals’ defensive rotations.
- He has appeared in five games this season so far, starting in four, but has not recorded a sack, contributing six tackles instead.
Yes, but: The Bengals still have options along the defensive line, including veteran Trey Hendrickson, who is set to return to practice soon.
- Hendrickson’s experience could mitigate some of the impact of Stewart's absence, provided he can regain full form quickly.
Between the lines: Stewart's journey to contribute effectively this season has already been tumultuous.
- He missed crucial offseason workouts due to a contract dispute, limiting his preparation time and development.
- Zac Taylor, head coach of the Bengals, acknowledged the situation, stating, "At this point, today, just keep taking it week to week," indicating that the team remains hopeful about Stewart's future contributions.
What’s next: Moving forward, the Bengals will need to reassess their defensive strategies while integrating Hendrickson back into the lineup.
- The coaching staff must also prepare to elevate other players in Stewart's absence, potentially looking to younger talent or free agents to fill the gap.
The bottom line: For a team vying for success, Stewart's injury underscores the fragility of roster health in the NFL and highlights the importance of depth on defense.
- With key players like Hendrickson returning, the Bengals will need to adapt quickly if they hope to maintain their competitive edge in the coming weeks.
