As rookie minicamp got underway in Cincinnati on Friday morning, first-round pick Shemar Stewart and second-round pick Demetrius Knight didn’t participate. Both rookies were present for the walkthrough but stayed on the sidelines to watch.
Coach Zac Taylor said the two players “are just working through their contracts right now.” Stewart and Knight are the only two draft picks in Cincinnati’s rookie class to not have signed their deals. The main focus of minicamp is for the new players to get acclimated to their new surroundings.
Taylor reiterated his excitement to have Stewart and Knight in Cincinnati and is looking forward to getting them acclimated with the rest of the team next week. He opted not to say if he expects the deals to get done by Monday, though.
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“They’ve had a great attitude and I’m excited about both of those guys,” Taylor said.
The Bengals selected Stewart with the No. 17 overall pick out of Texas A&M. He’s expected to be an impact player on the defensive line right away so it’s important for Stewart to get his deal signed as soon as possible so he can start practicing with his team.
First round pick Shemar Stewart (97), and second round pick Demetrius Knight, were spectators at the Bengals rookie minicamp Friday while their contracts were being negotiated.
Knight is also primed to play a significant role in Cincinnati’s defense this season. The Bengals need better play out of their linebackers this year and Knight is currently projected to start alongside Logan Wilson.
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Cincinnati’s front office signed four picks to their rookie deals on Friday morning with guard Dylan Fairchild, linebacker Barrett Carter, tackle Jalen Rivers and running back Tahj Brooks all putting pen to paper.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here’s why Shemar Stewart didn’t participate in Bengals’ rookie minicamp