Bengals OL wants Stewart to 'be smarter' after rookie bumped Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals offensive linemen weren't happy after rookie pass-rusher Shemar Stewart bumped into quarterback Joe Burrow at the end of a play at training camp Wednesday.

Bengals center Ted Karras said he likes what Stewart brings to the table, but the veteran lineman doesn't want to see Burrow hit again.

"Be smarter," Karras said about Stewart later Wednesday, according to Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. "He's a great rusher. ... Great player, but come on, man, that's all our hopes and dreams right there. But we've got to be better, too. That's on us."

Burrow stumbled to the ground following the play, notes Mike Petraglia of the "Jungle Roar Pod."

"They kicked our ass," Karras said about Cincy's D-line at practice, per Petraglia.

Tempers flared between the Bengals' offensive and defensive lines as a result of the incident.

Cincinnati defensive tackle T.J. Slaton Jr. believes Stewart can help the team.

"His aggression and his attitude, that's all on him and how he approaches the game," Slaton said, according to Cincinnati Bengals Talk. "As you can see out there, he has real love for the game. As long as it's controlled aggression, hey, we'll use it all day."

The Bengals drafted Stewart 17th overall in April to bolster a defensive unit that had a lot of issues in 2024.

Burrow battled injuries at camp in previous years, but the 2020 No. 1 pick has stayed healthy in 2025. He led the league in completions (460), passing yards (4,918), and touchdowns (43) last season.