The Cincinnati Bengals haven’t had much go their way this season, but they can see the light at the end of the tunnel. That’s because star quarterback Joe Burrow is reportedly closing in on a return to action for the Bengals after suffering a turf toe injury all the way back in Week 2. However, in order for that to matter, Cincinnati has to find a way to win some games.
Injuries have hampered other areas of the roster for the Bengals this season, which hasn’t exactly made their quest to pick up victories on a consistent basis all that easy. One guy who has been battling injuries all season long is rookie defensive lineman Shemar Stewart, and ahead of the team’s week 11 action, they were forced to make a big move involving him.
Bengals Place Shemar Stewart on Injured Reserve
The Bengals had high hopes for Stewart this season, as they selected him with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, for most of the summer, the only headlines Stewart was generating revolved around his contract situation, as he held out for a considerable amount of time due to some unique language Cincinnati’s front office was attempting to insert into his deal.
Eventually, the two sides managed to hammer out a deal, but Stewart hasn’t really gotten off the ground this season. In five games played, Stewart has just six tackles and one quarterback hit, and while he’s shown potential, his lack of production has killed a Bengals’ defense that was relying on its rookies to come in and immediately star for them.
Stewart has been dealing with a lingering knee injury that has forced him to miss four games, and even when he’s been on the field for the other five, his production has obviously not been up to par. With Stewart’s knee injury not getting any better, the team opted to place him on injured reserve on Saturday, meaning he will miss at least the next four games for Cincy.
“Bengals DE Shemar Stewart is going on injured reserve because of a knee injury, per sources,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network shared in a post on X. “Stewart, the first-round pick, showed flashes of dominance in Week 1. But an ankle injury in Week 2 has lingered and now a knee injury takes him out at least four games.”
Bengals Aiming to Take Down Steelers for Second Time This Season
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 02: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Bears in the game at Paycor Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Being without Stewart is a position the Bengals have become a bit used to, but his absence is still going to be felt. With Trey Hendrickson also battling a lingering hip injury, that means Cincinnati is down two of its most impactful defenders. That’s going to force Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy to step up and take on bigger roles moving forward at the defensive end position.
Cincinnati’s injury woes are popping up at a tough time, because the team is heading into a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers that it needs to win. While the Bengals did beat the Steelers back in Week 7, you can bet their division rival is going to be motivated to get some revenge in this one. Kickoff for this important contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.
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