Colts' Defensive Leaders Voice Support for Grover Stewart

While the biggest news of the week involving the Indianapolis Colts was the decision for Anthony Richardson to undergo season-ending surgery, it was not the most surprising news of the week in Indy.

The most surprising news goes to defensive tackle Grover Stewart. Stewart was suspended six games by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Stewart immediately took responsibility after the news broke, saying he should have been more careful about what he put in his body.

"I want to apologize to the National Football League, the Colts organization, my teammates, our fans, and my family," Stewart said in a statement." 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."

While it is unknown what Stewart tested positive for, all reports indicate Stewart did not knowingly take something that would constitute as a performance-enhancing substance. Colts head coach Shane Steichen backed up that claim on Wednesday.

"He made a mistake. It wasn’t malicious," Steichen said about Stewart. "The eight months that I’ve been around him – an unbelievable teammate, great character. He made a mistake, and we’re going to stick through that thing with him and get him back in six weeks and he’ll be ready to go.”

The Colts' locker room feels the same way about Stewart. A fourth-round pick out of Albany State in 2017, Stewart has been the ultimate teammate since he arrived in Indy. Sometimes, mistakes happen.

Nobody on the team knows Stewart better than DeForest Buckner. Buckner and Stewart have been the stalwarts on the inside of the Colts' defensive line since the Colts traded for the All-Pro in 2020. They have become one of the best defensive tackle tandems in the NFL, and Buckner made it clear that Stewart did not get to where he is now by cheating.

"It’s unfortunate it happened to him," Buckner explained. "We all know Grove’s character and we know that he would never intentionally cheat himself or cheat the game. We’re all responsible for what we put in our bodies. We’ve all got to make sure we take the right steps to knowing what’s going in our body. It was just unfortunate that it was him."

Another leader on the Colts' defense who took a stand for Stewart was Zaire Franklin. Franklin was drafted by the Colts a year after Stewart, and the two have worked their way from backups to two of the most valuable defenders on the Colts' defense. Franklin vouched for the character of Stewart.

“When it rains, it pours," Franklin expressed. "Big Grove, he’s a great person, a great human. I know he would never ever do anything to try to cheat the game or anything like that. He’s nothing like that. But just an unfortunate situation that he’s in."

Although Stewart did not mean to hurt his team, it will be a challenge to replace what Big Grove brings to the defense. As a nose tackle, Stewart's stats do not necessarily jump off the page. The 6-4, 314-pound giant has 20 tackles, two tackles for loss, and five QB hits in six games this season.

However, Stewart is a force against the run. His presence and penetration in the run game are two big reasons why the Colts are tied for ninth in the NFL in yards per carry allowed at 3.7. Trying to fill that hole will not be easy for the Colts.

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“It’s going to be very difficult, (Stewart’s) a great football player," Shaquille Leonard said. "It’s going to be tough, but we just got to find a way to get the job done.”

"Definitely going to hurt not having him out there," Franklin admitted. "I’ve said it plenty of times what him and Buck have been for not only my success but to the team’s. He’ll definitely be sorely missed, but we’ve got some young guys that are coming up and some vets there that are willing to take over that opportunity.”

The Colts have a few options they can go forward with to replace Stewart. Eric Johnson is listed as the backup to Stewart on the Colts' depth chart and will likely get the first crack at starting reps. Taven Bryan will also play a role, as he has been the top backup on the inside of the Colts defensive line.

The Colts also have a few defensive ends that can move inside to play defensive tackle. Dayo Odeyingbo and Tyquan Lewis have been used by the Colts as interior pass rushers. Look for a combination of these two players to be the primary rusher in Stewart's spot on obvious passing downs.

While not defensive linemen, Leonard and Franklin will likely have a bigger responsibility stopping runs at the line of scrimmage from their linebacker spots. Franklin has already been a menace this season, leading the NFL with 77 total tackles. Leonard has been working his way back from a nerve injury in his back but had his best game of the season a week ago against the Jacksonville Jaguars. "The Maniac" feels like he is finally getting back to himself.

"I thought I moved around well," Leonard explained. "I thought I played with hands, played aggressive. I do think that was one of my best games. ... I think I’m turning the corner.”

But the truth is one guy will not be able to replace Stewart. It will take a collective effort from the Colts' defense to fill his void in the middle of the line. Players need to take advantage of the opportunity and play their best ball.

“We’ve got to do a really good job inside obviously splitting up the reps," Buckner elaborated. "Guys have got to step up. Inside guys and outside guys, we’ve got to step our game up and make sure we fill that void. Obviously, Grove is a big, big part of our d-line and part of the defense. We’ve just got to make sure guys are stepping up and holding down the fort until he gets back.”

The mantra "next man up" may be cliché, but the Colts need someone to step up in Stewart's stead. Otherwise, when Stewart does return, it may be too late to salvage the season.

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