Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart was activated and added to the 53-man roster on Saturday after serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Stewart, 30, has not played since the Colts’ 37-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.
Prior to the suspension, Stewart had recorded 20 tackles in six games (all starts), and the Colts had allowed 113.5 rushing yards per game. His absence has been felt, as the Colts allowed 153 rushing yards per game in the six games without him.
“It’s huge,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said of Stewart’s return, per USA Today. “Any time you get a big-time player like that back in the fold, it’s huge. So, we’re excited to have him back. I know he’s going to be a big help for us this week.”
Stewart also is eager to return to the field.
“These last six weeks have been hard for me sitting at home and watching the guys go out there each and every week, fight and do their job,” Stewart told reporters Wednesday. “It was hard just watching them knowing I couldn’t be out there helping them.”
At the time of his suspension, Stewart expressed remorse and responsibility for the violation.
“I want to apologize to the National Football League, the Colts organization, my teammates, our fans and my family,” Stewart wrote on Instagram. “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 is in the final season of his three-year, $30.75 million contract extension. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Stewart has totaled 259 tackles, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 102 career games (70 starts) with the Colts. Indianapolis selected Stewart in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
The Colts also waived wide receiver Juwann Winfree on Saturday, and elevated running back Tyler Goodson and wide receiver D.J. Montgomery to the active roster from the practice squad.
The Colts (7-5) are on the road to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Indianapolis is tied for second place in the AFC South with the Houston Texans (7-5), one game behind the Jaguars (8-4).
–Field Level Media