Shemar

Stewart

The Bengals would obviously prefer Stewart to be out there vs. the Bucs, but it’s an otherwise quiet list for the opener.

Turner popped up on Thursday’s injury report with the hamstring issue, but head coach Zac Taylor said the fourth-year corner will be good to go for Sunday’s game. Turner posted career highs in pass breakups (18) and interceptions (2) last season while earning a PFF coverage grade of 78.1. The Bengals will rely heavily on him in Week 1 to slow down Baker Mayfield and a revamped Buccaneers passing game. While Turner is healthy and good to go, Taylor said DE Shemar Stewart (knee) is doubtful, making him unlikely to play in Week 1.

Stewart was able to limp off the field but eventually rode the cart to the locker room, causing some concern that he suffered a major injury. He will undergo treatment for the issue but, according to Rapoport, avoided any ligament damage. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he would miss “several weeks.” That’s not ideal for a second-year player, but it doesn’t sound like he is at risk of missing any time during the regular season.

Stewart initially limped off the field and was checked out by trainers before riding the cart into the locker room. The fact that he was able to make his way off the field hopefully means this isn’t a major injury, but it’s too early to be sure. The No. 17 overall pick last year struggled with ankle injuries early in his rookie season and later dealt with a knee issue. He appeared in just eight games and recorded one sack. The Bengals were hoping for a year two breakout from Stewart, but he might be in for another slow start if the latest injury costs him much time in camp.

Stewart was designated for a return from injured reserve last week and will now take the field against the Dolphins this weekend. The rookie pass-rusher has totaled just six tackles in the five games he’s appeared in this season and is still in search of his first career sack. In addition to Stewart, Taylor also said DT B.J. Hill (ankle) will be available to play in Week 16.

Stewart will return to practice this week. The Bengals now have 21 days to activate him from injured reserve. The first-round rookie hasn’t played much this year because of ankle and knee injuries. He has six combined tackles and eight pressures in five appearances so far.

Stewart missed multiple games with an ankle injury and is now set to miss at least the next four games due to a knee injury. The 22-year-old defensive end will miss most of his rookie season due to injury and his play wasn’t anything to write home about when he was actually on the field. His 36.9 overall PFF grade was dead last among 114 defensive ends.

It remains to be seen when Hendrickson will play again, as he did not practice all week. Shemar Stewart (knee) also remains out with a long-term injury. Pittsburgh’s offense should be able to get back on track against one of the NFL’s weakest defenses this week.

Following a decleating fourth-and-1 piledriver by Darnell Wright and being sealed off several times by wideout Olamide Zaccheaus, we wouldn’t have been surprised if Stewart saw his playing time reduced naturally. Playing through an injury could help explain how poor he looked in Week 9. Stewart has missed most of his rookie season with injury and has a startling 36.9 PFF defensive grade in 177 defensive snaps.

Hendrickson is sidelined by a hip injury, though the Bengals fortunately get EDGE Shemar Stewart (ankle) back after a four-game absence. Taylor-Britt has evidently been benched in favor of CB Josh Newton this week. The Bengals’ offense lost two tight ends last week, with Hudson suffering a concussion and Mike Gesicki suffering a pectoral injury that landed him on injured reserve this week. Bengals TE Noah Fant is suddenly on the streaming TE1 radar as a result.