Bengals DE Shemar Stewart To Miss ‘Several Weeks’

“He hyperextended his knee,” said Taylor. “It’ll be several weeks … The good news is we’ll be getting him back sooner rather than later.”

A season-ending injury would have been a catastrophic outcome for Stewart, whose career got off to an inauspicious start in 2025. Although Stewart totaled just 4.5 sacks in 37 games at Texas A&M, the Bengals saw enough promise to draft the 6-foot-5, 267-pounder with the 17th overall pick. But Stewart quickly fell behind as a result of a well-publicized contract dispute that kept him from participating in OTAs and minicamp. He went on to miss the beginning of training camp before finally signing his rookie deal on July 26.

Stewart was ready to go for the start of the season, but he wound up struggling through an injury-shortened campaign. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 2, forcing him to sit four games, and later missed another five with a knee issue that required an IR stint. All told, over 280 defensive snaps, eight games and five starts, Stewart managed 11 tackles, four quarterback hits and a sack. Pro Football Focus gave Stewart’s play an especially harsh review, ranking him dead last among 119 qualified edge defenders. His 29.3 grade against the run, the lowest at the position, was the main culprit.

As a unit, Cincinnati’s defense allowed the most rushing yards and the third-most points in the NFL last season. The Bengals have since made a series of changes, including at defensive end. They did not re-sign Trey Hendrickson, who scored a four-year, $112MM deal with the Ravens in free agency despite going through his own injury troubles last season. They also lost Joseph Ossai, who signed a three-year, $34.5MM pact with the Jets.

With Hendrickson and Ossai gone, the Bengals added former Seahawk Boye Mafe on a three-year, $60MM accord. They also spent a second-rounder on Cashius Howell, another ex-Texas A&M pass rusher. Until Stewart rejoins the fray, the Bengals will rely on Mafe, Howell and Myles Murphy alongside a remade interior line that includes new starters Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen.