Of course, it would work out this way.
First-round pick Shemar Stewart (knee) said after Thursday's practice that he's good to re-join the Bengals defensive line after his fifth straight day of full practice. Which means he'll play his first game since he's been on injured reserve for the last five games when the Bengals play in his hometown Sunday (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's Local 12) in Miami.
And of course, he wouldn't care where the game is. The man has been limited to five games this season and just wants to play.
"It's been a long year for sure," said Stewart, who missed four other games when he hurt his ankle in the second game. "You have to be happy where your feet are and hope for a better year next year."
Stewart has drawn massive praise from head coach Zac Taylor for how he has stayed with the Xs and Os during the injury. He knows because his office is next to defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery's room and Taylor always sees Stewart in there.
"It means a lot coming from your head coach," Stewart said. "You don't want to be on the field and not know what you have to do. There are only two things that can happen. You're going to get hurt, or you're going to hurt someone else. I'm trying to understand what I've got so when I come back I don't have my brain unscrambling."
It will be recalled Stewart, an edge player who moves up and down the line, made a play daily in training camp that seems years away.
"I felt I was stout against the run, my body was 100%, nothing lingering. I was picking up the playbook," Stewart said. "Then I got hurt.
"I feel good now. I can't wait to play."
Flacco II?
Rookie wide receiver Ke'Shawn Williams, an undrafted free agent from Indiana, the newest Bengal, may be on the verge of pulling a Joe Flacco.
Claimed on waivers from Pittsburgh Tuesday, he showed up for practice Wednesday, and may play Sunday.
Returner Charlier Jones (ankle) hasn't practiced this week, and Williams is coming off 18 kickoff returns (23.6-yard average) and 11 punt returns (10.2 yards per) for the Steelers. He didn't play against the Dolphins Monday night or the week before.
But Williams ripped off a 37-yard kick return at Paycor Stadium in the Bengals' Thursday night win over the Steelers in a game he returned two punts for 27 yards (including an elusive 17-yarder), as well as three kicks for 91 yards. Then in Pittsburgh last month on the opening kickoff, Bengals edge Cedric Johnson gave him a big shot on the opening kickoff to hold him to 20 yards.
"I was in concussion protocol. Just trying to keep me safe," said the 5-9 ,188-pound Williams. Asked if he knew who hit him and if he had tracked him down on his arrival, he laughed and said, "No, I may have to look for him."
Williams says he loves the Bengals offensive scheme and how they spread the ball around ("They're really involved in the passing game") and he says "it's crazy," to go from Aaron Rodgers to Joe Burrow.
But not as crazy as his trip to Cincinnati. His younger brother is a freshman point guard for East Stroudsburg and on Tuesday night Williams had just settled in at Clarion University for the game about 90 minutes from Pittsburgh when the Steelers called to tell him he was claimed.
That seemed to surprise everybody. His parents had come in from Philadelphia to see the Dolphins game and then stayed for the basketball game. Instead, they all missed the game and drove back to Pittsburgh so Williams could get on his flight and his parents could drive his car to Cincinnati.
"My parents are troopers," Williams said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity. I'd rather play than be at home, so here I am."
Slants and Screens
Stewart may be coming back just 8n time. Edge Joseph Ossai (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday …
Wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) is still limited and in protocol …
Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr., (ankle) missed his second day of practice Thursday …
