Colts Face Defensive Blow as Grover Stewart Receives 6-Game Suspension
In the wake of quarterback Anthony Richardson’s season-ending shoulder injury, the Indianapolis Colts find themselves dealing with another significant setback, this time on the defensive front.
The NFL has handed down a six-game suspension without pay to Grover Stewart, the starting defensive tackle, for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Expressing his remorse, Stewart took to Instagram to issue an apology: “I want to apologize to the National Football League, the Colts organization, my teammates, our fans, and my family. I was surprised and disappointed to learn I had violated the policy. I respect the integrity of the game and would never purposefully put myself or the team in this kind of situation. I am responsible for what I put in my body, and I should have taken the proper steps to educate myself. I will learn from this moving forward, and I will take the appropriate measures to ensure this never happens again.”
Stewart has been a stalwart presence on the Colts’ defensive line for several years, missing only two games since being selected in the fourth round out of Albany State in 2017. Notably, he boasts an impressive Pro Football Focus grade of 75.2 for this season and has started an impressive 68 consecutive games.
Stewart’s current contract is in its final year, a three-year, $30.75 million extension signed in 2020. He is set to become eligible for return on December 4 when the Colts face off against the Tennessee Titans.
Over the course of his 102-game career, Stewart has accumulated 259 combined tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 32 QB hits. He is particularly known for his top-tier run-stopping abilities in the heart of the defensive line, often working in tandem with DeForest Buckner.
