Story perspectives

Bengals' rookie Shemar Stewart carted off with knee injury

7/30/2026

Summary

Shemar Stewart Injured

Shemar Stewart was carted off the field after his left leg buckled during the Bengals’ training-camp practice on July 29, 2026.
Trainers examined his left knee for five minutes, found he could not bear weight, and saw him on crutches with a brace while team has not disclosed severity.
Stewart, the No. 17 overall 2025 draft pick, signed a four-year contract worth $19 million and posted one sack in eight rookie games.

Summary

Chase Throws Helmet

Coach Zac Taylor told players to limit contact and wear only helmets for the first four days of camp.
At about 11:10 a.m., Ja’Marr Chase grabbed DJ Turner’s helmet and hurled it across the field.
Jalen Davis threw a punch before teammates intervened, prompting Dexter Lawrence to exchange words with Ted Karras.
With Stewart out, rookie second-round pick Cashius Howell is projected to get an expanded defensive-end role soon.

Summary

NFL Depth Challenge

The NFL starts the season with a depth challenge after several starters are hurt.
Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee tore his ACL on July 29, 2026, his second major ligament injury.
Panthers lost edge rusher Nic Scourton (ACL), WR Chris Brazzell III (LCL) and TE Mitchell Evans (ankle).
Carolina’s tackles Taylor Moton (blood clot) and Ickey Ekwonu (knee) missed the opener.
Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s injury led to signing veteran backup Cooper Rush.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s 2011 collective bargaining agreement, reached after a lockout, cut off-season practice by five weeks and limited full-contact drills to two per week. Those limits followed preseason injuries that year, including quarterback Carson Palmer’s missed games and two Saints linebackers losing ACLs. The July 29, 2026 camp injuries to Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart, Saints defender Bryan Bresee and Panthers’ Nic Scourton revive those safety concerns.

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Shemar Stewart Injured

Shemar Stewart was carted off the field after his left leg buckled during the Bengals’ training-camp practice on July 29, 2026.
Trainers examined his left knee for five minutes, found he could not bear weight, and saw him on crutches with a brace while team has not disclosed severity.
Stewart, the No. 17 overall 2025 draft pick, signed a four-year contract worth $19 million and posted one sack in eight rookie games.

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