Bengals players rush to Joe Burrow's aid after embattled rookie's late hit causes scuffle
By JAKE FENNER,
As if the drama with his contract situation wasn't enough, Cincinnati Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart caused further issues with a late hit on superstar quarterback Joe Burrow on Wednesday.
Stewart, a rookie first-round pick out of Texas A&M, was participating in 11-on-11 drills in training camp when he lost his footing.
He subsequently fell into Burrow and knocked the quarterback down to the turf.
Burrow's offensive line sprang into action - kicking off a scuffle which was caught on video.
Fortunately, things ended up being relatively tame - with no punches thrown and the situation dying down quickly.
But Stewart's actions did lead to some hurt feelings and anger from the offensive line.
Shemar Stewart
Joe Burrow
Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart (L) accidentally stumbled into Joe Burrow (R) after a play
Stewart's accidental hit led to a fracas among Bengals players in Wednesday's training camp
'Just be smarter…great player, [but] that's all of our hopes and dreams right there,' veteran center Ted Karras told reporters. 'We've got to be better, too. That's on us.'
'Gotta protect No. 9 [Burrow]. Starts with me up front,' said right guard Lucas Patrick, per the Cincinnati Enquirer.
'I gotta play better and protect better, but you can't let No. 9 get hit.'
Stewart's name has been capturing headlines throughout Cincinnati's pre-season, but maybe not for the reason Bengals fans may have hoped.
He had a prolonged holdout with the team over his rookie deal negotiations, leaving mandatory minicamp due to the situation.
Stewart even went so far as to return back to Texas A&M - working out in College Station as reports speculated he was potentially exploring a return to college football.
But, eventually, Stewart and the Bengals came to an agreement on a four-year, $18.9million contract.
When asked about his holdout stance, Stewart revealed the team was trying to re-structure his deal to allow the Bengals to void future guarantees.
Stewart previously held out on signing his rookie deal, only to finally agree to a deal in late July
'I'm 100% right,' he said in June. 'I'm not asking for nothing y'all (the Bengals) have never done before. But in y'all case, y'all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games.'
During his holdout, Stewart attended meetings but was not reporting to the field. Earlier this week, with his deal being signed in late July, Stewart did not report to training camp - irking team executive Duke Tobin.
'I think Shemar needs to be here,' Tobin told reporters. 'I'm not going to blame Shemar. He is listening to the advice he is paying for.
'I don't understand or believe or agree with the advice, but I'm not the one paying for it. If I felt we were treating him unfairly as it relates to all the other draft picks in this year's draft, then maybe it would be a different story.
'But we are not. I don't really understand where things are there.'
Stewart did get his first NFL action last week when the Bengals played their first preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded one tackle.
The Bengals next take the field on August 18 when they travel to the Washington Commanders.
Stewart recorded his first NFL tackle in the Bengals' first preseason game last week against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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