Horseshoe Huddle

Colts Lose Star Defender for Next 6 Games

The Indianapolis Colts will be without one of the stars of their defensive line until the beginning of December.

Andrew Moore

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When it rains, it pours for the Indianapolis Colts.

Less than 24 hours after reports surfaced that quarterback Anthony Richardson was likely heading for season-ending surgery on his injured throwing shoulder, the Colts received another devastating blow. Standout defensive tackle Grover Stewart has been suspended six games by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

The statement from the NFL reads as follows: Grover Stewart of the Indianapolis Colts has been suspended without pay for the next six games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Stewart is eligible to return to the Colts' active roster on Monday, Dec. 4, following the team’s Week 13 game at Tennessee.

Stewart immediately took the blame for his failed test, taking to his Instagram account to release an apology statement.

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

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The loss of Stewart in the middle of the Colts defense is massive. Arguably the best run defender on the team, Stewart had formed one of the best defensive tackle tandems in the league with DeForest Buckner. Stewart will now miss a crucial stretch of games for a Colts team that currently sits at 3-3.

In six games this season, Stewart has racked up 20 tackles, two tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits. Stewart's play and presence in the middle of the defensive line have helped the Colts allow just 3.7 yards per carry in 2023, tied for ninth-best in the NFL.

The Colts will have trouble finding a replacement for Stewart. Eric Johnson II has been the primary backup nose tackle and could be next in line. Dayo Odeyingbo and Taven Bryan could also be options to start at NT.

Time will tell how much the loss of Stewart hurts the Colts over this six-game stretch.

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Andrew Moore
ANDREW MOORE

Andrew Moore is the Senior Analyst for Horseshoe Huddle and an Indianapolis Colts expert. Andrew is also the co-host of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast and the former co-host of A Colts Podcast.

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