Grover Stewart Returns to Defensive Front of Indianapolis Colts

As the Indianapolis Colts gear up for a critical NFL season with playoff aspirations, the team received a major boost with the announcement that Grover Stewart—one of the league’s most dominant defensive tackles—will return to anchor their defensive front. Stewart, who missed the final six games of the 2024 season due to a shoulder injury, has been a cornerstone of the Colts’ defense since being drafted in the fourth round in 2017. His physical presence, ability to clog running lanes, and knack for disrupting opposing quarterbacks have made him irreplaceable in the Colts’ defensive scheme. After months of rehabilitation and intense offseason training, Stewart was cleared for full contact in training camp, a development that has reignited excitement among fans and coaches alike. For a Colts defense looking to improve on its 15th-ranked finish in total yards allowed last season, Stewart’s return isn’t just a roster addition—it’s a game-changer that strengthens a unit critical to the team’s success. In a division filled with dynamic offenses, Grover Stewart Returns to Defensive Front of Indianapolis Colts is a story that signals the Colts’ commitment to building a championship-caliber defense.

Grover Stewart Returns to Defensive Front of Indianapolis Colts comes after a 2024 season that highlighted just how much the team missed his presence when he was sidelined. Before his injury, Stewart was having a career year: he recorded 42 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 11 games, earning Pro Bowl honors for the second consecutive season. His ability to command double teams from opposing offensive lines created opportunities for teammates like defensive end DeForest Buckner to generate pressure, and his run-stopping skills helped the Colts rank 10th in the league in rushing yards allowed. When Stewart went down, the Colts’ defensive front struggled to fill the void. Opposing teams rushed for an average of 135 yards per game in his absence—up from 98 yards per game when he was active—and the pass rush lost its bite, with sacks dropping by 30%. This stark contrast made it clear that Stewart isn’t just a talented player; he’s the linchpin of the Colts’ defense. His return in 2025 will not only restore the unit’s physicality but also provide a much-needed leadership boost for a young group of defensive linemen.

A closer look at Stewart’s playing style reveals why his return is so vital to the Colts’ defensive strategy. At 6-foot-4 and 335 pounds, Stewart possesses rare size and athleticism for a defensive tackle, allowing him to overpower single blockers and collapse the pocket from the interior. Unlike many big-bodied linemen who excel only at run stopping, Stewart is equally effective as a pass rusher—he uses a combination of quickness off the line and powerful hand techniques to beat centers and guards, often disrupting plays before quarterbacks can set up. His football IQ is another asset: Stewart has a knack for reading offensive formations and anticipating plays, which helps him plug running lanes or tip passes at the line of scrimmage. During his rehabilitation, Stewart didn’t just focus on physical recovery; he spent hours studying film with new defensive coordinator Brian Flores, learning the nuances of Flores’ aggressive blitz schemes. This preparation means Stewart will step back into the lineup already in sync with the Colts’ new defensive approach, avoiding the learning curve that often comes with scheme changes. For the Colts, this seamless transition is crucial as they look to hit the ground running in the 2025 season.

A key factor in Grover Stewart Returns to Defensive Front of Indianapolis Colts is the impact he’ll have on the development of the Colts’ young defensive linemen—a group the team has invested in heavily over the past two drafts. The Indianapolis Colts used a second-round pick in 2024 on defensive tackle Eric Johnson and a third-round pick in 2025 on defensive end Marcus Young, both of whom have shown promise but lack the experience to anchor a playoff-caliber defensive front. Stewart, a veteran with eight seasons in the NFL, has already taken on a mentorship role, working with Johnson and Young during offseason workouts to refine their techniques. He’s taught them how to read offensive line shifts, adjust their pass-rush moves based on blockers, and maintain consistency through a long season. Coaches have noted that Johnson’s run-stopping efficiency improved by 25ter working with Stewart last year, and Young has credited Stewart with helping him develop a more diverse pass-rush arsenal. By returning, Stewart isn’t just improving the Colts’ current defense—he’s helping build a sustainable pipeline of talent that will keep the unit competitive for years to come.

Another critical aspect of Grover Stewart Returns to Defensive Front of Indianapolis Colts is how his presence will complement the Colts’ new defensive scheme under Brian Flores. Flores, who was hired in 2025 after successful stints with the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, favors an aggressive, blitz-heavy approach that relies on interior linemen to occupy multiple blockers. Stewart’s ability to command double teams is a perfect fit for this system: when he draws two blockers, it frees up linebackers and edge rushers to blitz unblocked, creating chaos for opposing quarterbacks. The Indianapolis Colts’ defense struggled to generate consistent pressure last season without Stewart, but with him back in the lineup, Flores can implement more complex blitz packages without leaving gaps in the run defense. During training camp, the Colts have already tested this synergy, with Stewart drawing double teams that allowed linebacker Zaire Franklin to record three sacks in a single practice. This combination of Stewart’s dominance and Flores’ scheming has the potential to turn the Colts’ defense into one of the league’s most feared units—a transformation that could be the difference between a playoff appearance and a deep postseason run.

As the 2025 regular season approaches, the excitement around Grover Stewart Returns to Defensive Front of Indianapolis Colts continues to grow, with fans and analysts alike highlighting his return as a top storyline for the Colts. For the Indianapolis Colts, Stewart’s presence is a reminder of the team’s commitment to winning now while building for the future. He’s not just a veteran leader—he’s a player who can single-handedly change the outcome of a game, as he did in 2023 when he recorded a game-sealing sack against the Kansas City Chiefs to secure a playoff spot. Stewart’s return also sends a message to the rest of the AFC South that the Colts are serious about competing for a division title, especially with rivals like the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars upgrading their offenses. While there are still questions about the Colts’ secondary and special teams, Stewart’s return gives the defense a foundational piece to build around. In the end, Grover Stewart Returns to Defensive Front of Indianapolis Colts is more than a roster update—it’s a statement of intent from a franchise that’s ready to reclaim its status as an NFL contender, with one of the league’s best defensive tackles leading the charge.