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Bengals First-Round Pick Gets Carted Off Field After Suffering Gruesome Leg Injury [VIDEO]

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Shemar Stewart's leg being bent.
Shemar Stewart (Photo via Twitter)

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart was carted off the practice field on Day 1 of training camp.

Stewart was drafted in the first round (17th overall) of the 20th of April, 2025.

Gruesome Leg Injury Sidelines Budding Star Shemar Stewart

Injured Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart (97) watches from the sideline in the third quarter of the NFL Week 12 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. The Bengals fall to 3-8 with a 26-20 loss at home.

The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a devastating defensive blow on the very first day of training camp practice. Specifically, former first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart had to be carted off the field following a gruesome leg injury during intense team drills

During the squad’s initial 11-on-11 team period on Wednesday morning, the young edge rusher suddenly collapsed behind the play.

Observers noted that his left leg appeared to bend at an unnatural angle before he hobbled off, favoring his knee. Consequently, team trainers immediately rushed to evaluate the defender on the sideline as teammates looked on with visible concern.

When the athlete subsequently tried to put pressure on his leg, he found himself completely unable to stand. Therefore, stadium officials quickly summoned a medical cart to transport the young defender directly back into the training facility lockers.

While front office executives await official MRI results, the loss of an elite pass rusher creates a massive structural void. Furthermore, this development marks an incredibly rough start for an organization aiming to improve its passing defense. Thus, medical personnel are evaluating the structural integrity of his knee extraordinarily closely.

Roster Vulnerabilities Magnified Following Stewart’s Practice Collapse

Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart (97) exits the player tunnel during introductions before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Ultimately, managing these devastating player health issues represents a massive hurdle for defensive coordinator Al Golden. The defensive end previously battled ankle and knee issues that heavily limited his rookie campaign to just eight active game appearances.

The front office heavily invested in depth by signing premium free agents during the offseason. However, the defensive scheme heavily relied on the pure athleticism and multi-positional versatility of their sophomore draft pick. If Shemar Stewart faces a lengthy recovery window, younger rookies must step up to replicate his physical production.

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