The status of one of the key figures on the Cincinnati Bengals' reconfigured defensive line is in question after a training camp injury on Wednesday, July 29.
Defensive end Shemar Stewart was carted off from practice after suffering an apparent leg injury.
A first-round pick in 2025, Stewart had been in line to play a vital role for the Bengals' front.
With Trey Hendrickson departing in free agency, Cincinnati was counting on its second-year defensive end to step up as part of a pass-rush rotation, which added veteran Boye Mafe and second-round pick Cashius Howell.
"His development is a priority for us," Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters at the league meeting in Phoenix this offseason. "We’re not trying to do anything to stunt the growth there.
We’re trying to do everything we can for him to continue to grow and play a major role for us. So signing Boye really doesn’t do anything negatively for Shemar because we still have high expectations for him."
A contract standoff kept Stewart out of commission last offseason until he signed his rookie deal at the outset of training camp. He then missed nine games due to ankle and knee injuries, finishing his inaugural pro campaign with just one sack.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bengals' first-round D-lineman carted off with injury at training camp
