Kofi Inkoom
Indianapolis Colts’ nose tackle, Grover Stewart, renowned for his ability to halt running plays, has received a six-game suspension without pay due to a breach of the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Stewart will have the opportunity to rejoin the Colts’ roster in Week 14 when they play against the Bengals. While the specific details of Stewart’s violation are undisclosed, he acknowledged the infraction through a post on social media.
“I want to apologize to the National Football League, the Colts organization, my teammates, our fans and my family,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “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.”
Grover Stewart is currently in the last year of his three-year contract extension with the Colts, worth $30.75 million, which he signed in November 2020. His suspension will result in a loss of approximately $3.4 million in salary and bonuses.
Stewart’s presence on the Colts’ defense has been nearly constant, as he has displayed exceptional durability throughout his career. He hasn’t missed a game since 2018 and has participated in 84 consecutive matches.
In the previous season, Stewart recorded 70 tackles, ranking him fifth among defensive linemen. Teaming up with the star 3-technique defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, Stewart forms one of the premier interior duos in the NFL.
During Stewart’s absence, the Colts will need to seek contributions from other players. Eric Johnson II, Taven Bryan, and rookie Adetomiwa Adebawore are among the potential candidates to fill in for Stewart’s playing time.