The Cincinnati Bengals could – in theory – be getting some help this week as rookie first-round pick Shemar Stewart is eligible to return from injured reserve. Stewart has been on IR for the last four games with a knee injury and it’s possible that he could return to face the Baltimore Ravens this week.
Head coach Zac Taylor doesn’t want to rush Stewart back (why should he? It’s not like this team is going anywhere), but said that Stewart could certainly suit up if he’s feeling good.
“We’ll start him back and see how he looks,” Taylor said before Wednesday’s practice. “It’s different because he’s a rookie and he’s missed some time. We’ll just get him back. I saw him on the rehab field last week. It looked like he was making really good progress. Now it’s just get him out there and see what he looks like.
“Today is not a full-scale (practice) like we have on previous Wednesdays. We’ll start to lighten it up a little bit. Tomorrow we’ll probably get a better indication of what he looks and feels like.”
Shemar Stewart has still been studying for the Cincinnati Bengals
The season is essentially lost for the Bengals with a paltry 4-9 record. They aren’t making the playoffs even if some next-gen stat geek somewhere says it’s possible.
Could the Bengals use Stewart’s help? Absolutely, their defense is an unmitigated disgrace. They are giving up 410.5 yards per game which is good for 32nd in the NFL. That’s right, the defense is the worst in the league and the next closest team is the New York Giants, who are giving up 385.8 yards per contest. That’s a huge difference.
Yes, it’s too little too late, but for what it’s worth, Taylor says that Stewart has had a front-row seat in team meetings during his stint on IR.
“He’s been attentive,” Taylor said.
“We’ve got high expectations for him and he’s worked really hard to meet those and done everything he can do. Unfortunately, he had the setback with the injury. It’s nothing he can control. I don’t think there’s a pressure to see anything from him in the next four weeks. We’ll see how he feels as practice goes this week. If he’s able get in a game this week, just keep progressing him, keep improving.”
Shemar Stewart could help Bengals sweep Ravens
On Sunday, the Bengals clash with the Ravens again after mopping them up on Thanksgiving night. That was a huge win because Joe Burrow came back and they had a chance for a run and here come the Bengals and…now not so much.
The Bengals have come crashing back to Earth since then because water sinks to its own level and the Bengals are just not a good football team. Still, the Bengals have a chance to go 5-1 in the AFC North this year even though it doesn’t matter when you lose just about every other game.
“Obviously, I wish there was more (wins), and it’s a big deal,” Taylor said of the team’s success in the division. “Your best chance of doing all the things you want to do in the postseason is run through the division. Winning the division, being successful in your division. We feel like we’ve got a great feel for them. They’ve got a great feel for us. I can’t pinpoint why three of our four (wins) have been against our division.”
Having Stewart return to action could help them towards that elusive goal of dominating the division yet missing the playoffs by a mile.
Cincinnati Bengals Finally Get Long-Awaited Help on Defense