Bengals' Shemar Stewart Carted Off Day 1 With Hyperextended Knee

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart was carted off the field with a left leg injury during the first day of training camp on July 30. According to ESPN's reporting, sources told Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport that Stewart suffered a hyperextended knee, with the belief that he sustained no ligament damage. On Wednesday, Stewart was spotted in a protective leg brace on his left leg and was on crutches.

Stewart is the Bengals' first-round pick in 2025. His injury on Day 1 of camp continues a troubling durability pattern. According to ESPN, he battled injuries last season and totaled one sack in eight games. Stewart was also not a participant at the start of training camp last year because he had not yet signed his rookie contract, and he did not participate in rookie minicamp or any offseason practices because he did not sign a practice waiver, leaving him behind the development curve when the season began.

His injury history compounds the timing. According to ESPN, Stewart showed flashes in the first two weeks of last season but then suffered an injury in Week 2 against Jacksonville, missed time, and was banged up for most of the eight games he played.

The Bengals invested heavily at defensive end in the offseason, per ESPN. The team signed free agent Boye Mafe and selected second-round pick Cashius Howell. Myles Murphy, a 2023 first-round pick, is a projected starter at the position. Cedric Johnson, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and Isaiah Foskey, claimed off waivers last season, are behind Stewart on the depth chart.

The sources do not include an official Bengals statement on the prognosis or expected timeline for Stewart's return. The description of no ligament damage suggests the hyperextension may be treatable through conservative measures, though whether surgery will be required or whether physical therapy and bracing will suffice remains unaddressed in the reporting.