The Bengals opened training camp Wednesday with a jolt of bad news: edge rusher Shemar Stewart was carted off the practice field after an apparent injury during an 11-on-11 drill.
Stewart was taken away on a golf cart at Cincinnati’s Kettering Health Practice Fields, and the team had not released a diagnosis or said whether the injury was considered serious. Video reviewed by WCPO 9 appears to show his leg bending awkwardly at the knee during the play.
Bengals Edge Rusher Shemar Stewart was just carted off the practice field with an apparent injury.
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) July 29, 2026
Happened during 11-on-11 team drill. pic.twitter.com/uitKLpD36s
A troubling setback for a former first-round pick
The scene was particularly concerning because Stewart missed time last season with a knee injury. The Bengals placed him on reserve/injured in November 2025, then cleared him to return to practice in December, according to an official Bengals roster update.
Stewart was Cincinnati’s first-round pick in 2025, but his rookie season was interrupted by both injuries and a contract dispute. NBC Sports reported in May that Bengals coach Zac Taylor considered Stewart’s development a priority heading into Year 2.
Stewart entered camp with plenty to prove
Before Wednesday’s injury, Stewart was already one of the Bengals’ most closely watched young players. Yahoo Sports listed him among Cincinnati players with the most at stake in camp after a rookie season disrupted by a holdout and knee trouble.
His contract saga also made the moment feel heavier. Stewart missed mandatory minicamp and the opening week of last year’s camp before signing a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth nearly $19 million, including a $10.4 million signing bonus, as WCPO 9 reported.
For now, the Bengals have confirmed only what fans saw: Stewart left the field on a cart after an apparent knee injury. Until the team provides imaging results or a timetable, talk of a season-ending diagnosis remains speculation rather than news.
