Bengals rookie learns important Joe Burrow rule

After practice, Bengals center Ted Karras said he likes Stewart's intensity but reminded him not to hit Burrow.

"Just be smarter," Karras said, via Charlie Clifford of WLWT-TV in Cincinnati. "Great player. But, come on, man. That's all our hopes and dreams right there. And we got to be better, too. That's on us."

Without Burrow, the Bengals' Super Bowl hopes would evaporate. He already carried Cincinnati to the big game during the 2021 season and is coming off a career year.

Last season, he led the league in touchdown passes (43 in 17 games) and passing yards (4,918), winning Comeback Player of the Year for the second time.

Not to mention, Burrow can be injury-prone. He suffered a season-ending left knee injury during his rookie season in 2020. Then in 2023, he tore his right wrist, sidelining him for the season's final seven games. The Bengals subsequently finished 9-8 and failed to make the playoffs. 

Burrow didn't suffer an injury after Stewart hit him, but the Bengals don't want to put their most important player at risk. 

"We've gotta protect No. 9," Bengals right guard Lucas Patrick said, via Jay Morrison of Cincinnati Bengals on Sports Illustrated. "It starts with me up front. I've got to play better, protect better. Can't let No. 9 get hit." 

The Bengals need their O-line to provide Burrow with much better protection for the rest of the season. And they need Stewart to follow the critical rule.