Bengals Depth: Shemar Stewart Steps In

Shemar Stewart played his sixth defensive snap of the game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, helping the Cincinnati Bengals secure a 43-36 win.

The opportunity arose in the final moments of the game. With the Titans facing a fourth-and-3, head coach Al Golden called a timeout after observing the opposing defensive play call.

"We showed them the look," Golden said. "It was kind of a 'Kodak moment.' So, we changed the picture."

Upon returning from the timeout, the Bengals substituted linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. out of the game and brought in Stewart. The defense utilized a package featuring five defensive linemen, one linebacker, and five defensive backs. This specific alignment had been used only eight times against the pass earlier in the season.

Stewart joined the field because Cashius Howell and Ced Johnson were unavailable due to injuries. Stewart assisted in a five-man rush that pressured quarterback Cam Ward, resulting in an errant pass that sealed the victory for Cincinnati.

This was Stewart’s most impactful moment of his sophomore season. He has recorded three tackles and one quarterback pressure in 22 total defensive snaps this year. His path to the active roster was complicated by a knee injury sustained on the first day of training camp, which cost him the entire preseason.

Stewart did not play a single snap in Week 1 or Week 3. He was listed as a healthy scratch in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens. For the Week 8 game against Tennessee, the coaching staff placed Mitchell Tinsley on the injured list to create a spot for Stewart on the 48-man active roster.

The decision proved practical when Howell required wrist surgery and is out for weeks. Johnson is listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury. Coach Zac Taylor noted that the team is well-built in the defensive line room and that these injuries provide opportunities for players like Stewart.

Stewart has spent the season behind Howell, Johnson, and Kris Jenkins on the depth chart. He maintained his readiness by studying film and redrawing plays from memory. He also added a pass rush circuit to his pre-practice routine, learning from veteran Boye Mafe.

"I play everywhere, so I have to know everything," Stewart said. "There’s a lot of verbiage. A lot of checks. A lot of things I have to remember and stay on top of."

Stewart finished the game with two career sacks. Fifteen defensive linemen from his draft class have accumulated more career sacks than he has. He played special teams and covered kick returns during the contest, demonstrating the versatility required to hold multiple positions on the defensive line.

Stewart’s performance on Sunday represents a tangible shift in his season. He entered the game with a clear role after the injuries to his predecessors. The coaching staff expressed confidence in his preparation, noting that they trust him to make plays when called upon. Stewart continues to work on his craft, aiming to translate his off-field diligence into on-field production for the remainder of the year.