First-round pick Shemar Stewart, on injured reserve with a knee injury the past four games, was cleared to practice Wednesday, and head coach Zac Taylor says he has a shot to play Sunday (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Local 12) against the Ravens at Paycor Stadium.
Stewart, an edge player who moves up and down the line, has been limited to five games in his rookie season and has six tackles. He missed another four-game stretch earlier this season with an ankle injury,
"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."
Stewart, the 17th pick in the draft out of Texas A&M, hasn't gone anywhere. Taylor says he's been in the front row right in front of him at every team meeting.
"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."
Tee Limited
Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is in concussion protocol and worked Wednesday in limited fashion. That's more than he did before he missed the Nov. 27 win over the Ravens because it was a short week.
The Bengals prevailed without him, 32-14, with seven catches each from wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (110 yards) and running back Chase Brown (35). No one else had more than two catches, but it marked the return of tight end Mike Gesicki (pectoral) after a four-game stint on injured reserve.
And Gesicki went off last Sunday in Buffalo with a season 86-high yards on six catches and his first touchdown of the season.
"I think you saw one of his strongest performances for us since he's been a Bengal the other day," said offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher before practice. "That's really what he can bring. A mismatch as a third (option) and there are only so many guys that all of our opponents are going to have that they feel good about covering (Gesicki). True weapon that can separate and catch, and I think you saw the catch radius and all those things in play.
"The other thing you see from Mike is a fierce competitor. Obviously, when the ball's going his way, it's usually on a possession down. Not all the time, but often times, so you need guys that are going to step up in those big spots and he did that."
Slants and Screens
The Bengals have a shot at going 5-1 in the AFC North for the first time since the 2015 title as Taylor eyes his second sweep of the Ravens and first over quarterback Lamar Jackson. Two wins over John Harbaugh in 17 days won't match what they did in 2022, when they beat Baltimore in the season finale and in the Wild Card in back-to-back games at Paycor.
"Obviously, I wish there was more (wins), and it's a big deal," Taylor said of the 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." …
The Bengals signed local product Xavier Johnson to the practice squad. Johnson, a wide receiver who came out of Ohio State undrafted in 2024, went to high school at Cincinnati's Summit Country Day School. He spent his rookie season on the Texans' practice squad and is gets his first shot with a team this season.
"I remember he was here for the local day. And I remember he had a good workout for us," Pitcher said. "And I remember we stayed in touch with him throughout the remainder of the process and after the draft.
"It's a local guy who comes highly recommended from a character standpoint. He looked good when we had him here in the building." …
NFL sack champion Trey Hendrickson is reportedly facing season-ending surgery, but since he's missed the last five games with a core issue it's not impacting their prep for Baltimore.
"Nothing new really. That's how it's been the last couple of weeks," Taylor said. …
View the best photos from Bengals-Ravens matchups of years past
DE Sam Hubbard runs into the endzone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday, January 15 2023.
FILE - In this Dec 31, 2017, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) reacts as he scores the winning touchdown as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (24) lies on the ground during the second half of an NFL football game in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
CB Cam Taylor-Britt breaks up a deep pass against the Ravens in Baltimore, Thursday, November 16, 2023.
WR Ja'Marr Chase celebrates completing the catch during the third quarter of the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday, January 15 2023.
The Bengals defense celebrates a fumble recovery during Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) leaps over Baltimore Ravens defensive back Chuck Clark, below, during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gestures after rushing for a first down during a wild-card playoff NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase and former RB Joe Mixon celebrate a touchdown against the Ravens in Baltimore, Thursday, November 16, 2023.
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft (81) pulls in a touchdown pass under pressure from Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) during the first half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly, left, dives trying to pick up some extra yardage as he is chased down by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott, right, during the first half of their football game in Baltimore Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006..(AP Photo/Chris Gardner)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches the ball for a touchdown against Baltimore Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington (29) in the second half during an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) runs with the ball against Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark (36) and cornerback Marlon Humphrey during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) catches a touchdown pass against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase (1) hurdles over Baltimore Raven Daryl Worley (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals' Tyler Boyd (83) does a flip in front of Baltimore Ravens' Daryl Worley following a touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (80) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, November 27, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.
QB Joe Burrow escapes pressure and looks to throw against the Ravens at Paycor Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, right, is stopped by Cincinnati Bengals safety Dexter Jackson (28) in an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, in Cincinnati. Cincinnati won 13-7, shutting out the Ravens until the final minutes of the game. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson celebrates a play against the Ravens at Paycor Stadium
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, left, gets tangled with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross as Ross makes a touchdown catch in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
QB Joe Burrow during Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cody Core (16) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Kyle Arrington (24) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
QB Joe Burrow celebrates a play during Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) tries to stay inbounds as Baltimore Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington (29) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) covers Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
WR Tee Higgins makes a catch against the Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, September 17, 2023.
DE Sam Hubbard runs into the endzone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday, January 15 2023.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins celebrates his second touchdown of the game during Cincinnati's Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Bengals TE Erick All Jr. hurdles a defender during Cincinnati's Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase catches a long touchdown during Cincinnati's Week 5 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, October 6, 2024.
TE Tanner Hudson hurdles a defender during the Bengals primetime Week 10 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, November 7, 2024.
WR Ja'Marr Chase celebrates a 70-yard touchdown during the Bengals primetime Week 10 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, November 7, 2024.
CB Cam Taylor-Britt breaks up a pass during the Bengals primetime Week 10 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, November 7, 2024.
WR Ja'Marr Chase makes a catch during Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025.
