Bengals Former First Round Pick RETURNS To Practice, Joe Burrow Sounds Off On 2026 Season, Reds Win

The Cincinnati Bengals received an encouraging boost this week as defensive end Shemar Stewart returned to practice after missing more than a month with a hyperextended left knee.

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Stewart suffered the injury on the opening day of training camp and initially feared the worst. The former first-round pick was eventually able to avoid injured reserve, giving Cincinnati hope that he could return early in the regular season. Stewart was back on the practice field Wednesday, marking an important step in his recovery as the Bengals prepare for their September 13 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The timing is significant for a Bengals defense that has undergone a major transformation this offseason. Cincinnati added veteran stars including Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, while also bringing in Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe. Stewart's return would give the Bengals another young, athletic piece to rotate along a defensive line that is expected to be one of the team's biggest strengths.

While Stewart's return provided encouraging news, quarterback Joe Burrow created headlines of his own during the debut episode of Ja'Marr Chase's new podcast, Chasing No. 1. Burrow, Chase's longtime teammate dating back to LSU, said his primary goal for the 2026 season is simple: “I just want to win.”

Burrow went further, explaining that he sensed something different about this Bengals team during offseason workouts. He said he could “feel it in my bones” and “in my soul,” particularly because of the new mentality and leadership brought to the defense.

Burrow specifically praised the addition of Lawrence and said Cincinnati had brought in “the right guys” with the right mindset to pursue a Super Bowl. Chase agreed, saying he could feel the difference as well and comparing the team's energy to the Bengals' 2021 season.

With Stewart working his way back and Burrow openly embracing Super Bowl expectations, Cincinnati enters the season with confidence—and considerably higher expectations.

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