The Indianapolis Colts appear to be on a downward trend after rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered a serious shoulder injury in Week 5. And they are now set to lose another impactful player after a suspension was issued on Tuesday.
Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart has been a staple on the team’s defensive line for the past four seasons. His stats don’t pop off the stat sheet, but he is one of the most underrated run-stuffing interior defensive linemen in all of football.
He is now set to miss a large portion of the 2023 season, as the NFL issued him a six-game suspension on Tuesday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
#Colts DT Grover Stewart has been suspended six games without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 17, 2023
This is the last thing that Colts fans wanted to hear, and many offered their reaction to the shocking news on social media shortly after it emerged.
Grover Stewart has been one of the league's most underrated defensive linemen over the last several years. He'll be able to come back in Week 14.
He's scheduled to be a free agent after the season. https://t.co/mIDfYeKgaC
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 17, 2023
First we lose Isaiah Rodgers, and then we lose Anthony Richardson, and now we lose Grover Stewart…
Life is great right now as a #Colts fan. pic.twitter.com/LqWhDxmQby
— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage) October 17, 2023
Me after the Grover Stewart news pic.twitter.com/IDTv8mzoiL
— CLew 🏈🏀⚾️🥊 (@droppedballspod) October 17, 2023
Just a brutal blow to the #Colts interior defensive line. Grover Stewart has been one of the most durable and dependable players for Indianapolis. https://t.co/BwWamS4Lbt
— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) October 17, 2023
Grover Stewart suspended for 6 games…wtf is going on!???? This season is quickly heading south. Lol 🤦♂️ #Colts #ColtsNation
— Horse Shoe (@4theShoe) October 17, 2023
Losing both Anthony Richardson, who is expected to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, and now Grover Stewart is obviously a recipe for disaster for this Colts team.
Stewart will be eligible to return in Week 14 from this suspension for the Colts. However, it seems like there may be a real chance that Week 6 was the last game that Stewart may ever play in a Colts uniform.
He is in the final year of his contract with Indianapolis. And the Colts organization has shown in the past that they have no problem cutting ties with players who are issued lengthy suspensions. They notably cut ties with promising cornerback Isaiah Rodgers after he was issued a season-long suspension for gambling this past offseason.
