Shemar Stewart Carted Off Bengals Camp; Chase and Turner Tussle

Defensive end Shemar Stewart left the first day of Bengals training camp on a cart following a left leg injury while Ja'Marr Chase sparked a practice skirmish.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart exited the practice field on a motorized cart Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after suffering a left leg injury during the inaugural session of training camp. The 2025 first-round selection was later spotted navigating the facility on crutches with a rigid brace stabilizing his limb. Medical personnel conducted initial imaging at Paycor Stadium to assess the damage, though the organization has not yet released a definitive diagnosis regarding the structural integrity of his knee or ankle. Stewart, who transitioned to the NFL from Texas A&M, is attempting to overcome a rookie season marred by health setbacks that restricted him to just eight appearances and a single sack.

Key details

Defensive coordinator Al Golden had previously highlighted the sophomore lineman as a cornerstone for the 2026 scheme, citing his unique ability to slide between interior and exterior gaps. The coaching staff entered the summer expecting a massive statistical leap from the edge rusher to help revitalize a defense that struggled during a six-victory campaign last year. Cincinnati’s front office prioritized defensive reinforcements during the offseason, most notably securing defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to anchor the middle. This revamped unit aims to snap a three-year playoff drought that has frustrated the Queen City faithful since their last postseason berth.

Intensity boiled over during team periods when All-Pro wideout Ja'Marr Chase became embroiled in a physical altercation with cornerbacks DJ Turner II and Jalen Davis. The confrontation escalated rapidly, resulting in Chase forcibly removing Turner’s helmet and launching it into the air. While the equipment soared, the players continued a heated verbal exchange that required intervention from teammates to prevent further blows. Despite the volatility of the exchange, head coach Zac Taylor allowed all participants to remain active for the duration of the two-hour workout rather than ejecting them to the locker room.

Latest developments

Jalen Davis addressed the media following the whistle, noting that the roster arrived at camp with a collective mandate to foster a more aggressive environment. He suggested that the chippy nature of the drill was a calculated shift in culture intended to erase the passive tendencies of the previous autumn. Quarterback Joe Burrow echoed these sentiments, characterizing the friction as a natural byproduct of elite competitors squaring off in high-stakes environments. Burrow noted that as long as the scuffles are contained within a 20-second window and do not impede the progression of the script, he views the fire as a positive indicator of readiness.

DJ Turner II, who spent the 2025 season shadowing the league's most prolific receivers, dismissed the notion of lingering animosity between himself and Chase. He likened the helmet-tossing incident to a standard sibling rivalry where emotions occasionally override logic in the heat of battle. The cornerback emphasized that the secondary's primary objective is to maintain the standard that saw him emerge as a top-tier defender last year. The Bengals are scheduled to return to the practice fields tomorrow morning, with all eyes remaining on the training room for updates regarding Stewart’s availability for the upcoming preseason schedule.