INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — With a full rebuild underway for the Indianapolis Colts, 10th-year Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart is now left without one of his closest teammates, DeForest Buckner.
Buckner spent the past seven seasons patrolling the defensive line alongside Stewart. Now, he’s headed back to the San Francisco 49ers, the team that drafted him. The Colts traded Buckner to San Francisco in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. After the deal was announced, Stewart reflected on seeing one of his best friends move on to another organization.
“It really hurt me,” Stewart said. “Seeing my guy going back home and stuff like that. It hurt me. It’s a lifetime bond, man. Brother, best friend, the dynamic duo. Like, it’s just a bond you can’t never break, man.”
There’s no question Buckner was one of the most outspoken leaders on the Colts’ defense. He was named a team captain in every season he’s been with the Colts, but now Stewart says it’s up to him to uphold the standard Buckner set during his seven seasons in Indianapolis.
“I mean, Buck (DeForest Buckner) was a great guy, great leader,” Stewart said. “He always helped out everybody and losing him, it takes a toll. But then a...