Overview
- The injury occurred during an 11-on-11 drill on July 29 when Stewart’s left knee visibly hyperextended and trainers loaded him onto a cart after he could not bear weight.
- Video of the play showed an awkward bend at the knee that prompted immediate on-field evaluation and public concern from reporters and independent doctors.
- By the next day NFL insiders and coach Zac Taylor reported there was likely no major ligament damage and that Stewart will miss several weeks while undergoing treatment and further imaging.
- Cincinnati will absorb his short-term absence by relying on offseason additions and existing edge-depth including Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy and rookie Cashius Howell.
- Stewart’s setback matters because he was the Bengals’ 2025 first-round pick who missed much of his rookie season with lower-body injuries and needed camp reps to secure a larger role.