PITTSBURGH -- Cincinnati Bengals rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart, the team's first-round draft pick, was placed on injured reserve Saturday and will miss at least four weeks.
Stewart has been dealing with a knee injury he suffered in the team's Week 9 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Saturday's development drastically shifted the timetable presented by coach Zac Taylor on Friday when he was asked when Stewart and defensive end Trey Hendrickson could return to practice.
"At this point, today, just keep taking it week to week," Taylor said.
This is the second significant injury Stewart has suffered this season. An ankle injury forced him to miss four games in the middle of the season.
Stewart didn't start participating in on-field drills this season until he signed his rookie contract in July, after training camp had started. He missed offseason workouts amid a contract dispute that was eventually resolved.
He has appeared in five games with four starts. He has yet to record a sack but has six tackles.
