Technically, the Cincinnati Bengals first-round rookie edge rusher Shemar Stewart has been a "hold-in.''
But on Thursday? That status changed.
Cincinnati is insisting upon including a clause that would void Stewart’s remaining guarantees in the event he violates his deal.
The Bengals' rookie broke his silence on the contract dispute when he spoke to reporters on Tuesday.
“I still go to meetings. I still study my playbook, taking down the right notes,” Stewart said, adding that the Bengals seem to want to "win an argument more than they want to win games.''
The organization is getting ripped for not extending edge rusher Trey Hendrickson; that's a higher profile problem than this one.
But now?
Reports out of Cincinnati camp say that Stewart, the 17th pick of the NFL draft, has now walked out of mandatory minicamp in an advancement of his protest.
“Something very simple to fix,” Stewart said of the contract wrinkle. “It’s kind of disappointing.”
Fans can take solace in Stewart working out on the side to keep himself in shape, but it remains less than ideal that he isn’t practicing with the team.
“I’m always ready to go,” Stewart said. “I’ve been staying ready to go. It’s my job now; I have no choice but to be ready to go.”
Oh, he's on the "go'' all right ... right out the front door of Cincinnati's facility and right into more Bengals controversy.