Grover Stewart’s camp impact catches ESPN praise as Colts and Patriots hold joint practice

The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots continued their preseason work on Tuesday with a joint training camp practice, and defensive tackle Grover Stewart was the standout name getting singled out for disruptive play against a Patriots team also working new looks.

According to ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Reiss, as discussed on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Stewart “might have been the best player on the field” during the session. The comment is the latest form of league-wide attention on a player known for physicality in the middle of the defense and for turning ordinary team periods into moments of leverage at the line of scrimmage.

Stewart’s role as an interior defender is particularly valuable during joint practices because they compress live reps and force matchups in tight spaces. Against New England’s offensive front and a rotation of quarterbacks and play calls, a veteran like Stewart can set the tone early, whether by collapsing running lanes or by getting hands inside to contest blockers before plays reach the second level.

For the Colts, camp is where coaching staff evaluate the durability of their defensive structure, especially the front’s ability to hold up when offenses mix run concepts with quick passing. An interior player drawing praise like Stewart is also a reminder that the team’s defensive identity is often shaped by whether it can consistently win the “inside versus inside” battles that begin every defensive snap.

The Patriots context matters as well. New England’s preseason priorities typically include installing timing and protections in real time, and joint practices provide a sharper environment than isolated work. When a veteran defensive tackle is described as “best on the field,” it suggests the defensive front is providing consistent pressure and force, even in a setting where both teams are still sorting out combinations.

It is also worth noting what Tuesday’s praise does and does not confirm. A single joint practice does not determine the regular-season depth chart or overall roster form, and it does not replace the longer evaluation process built around weeks of practice and preseason games. Still, moments like Stewart’s are often early indicators of how a defense wants to play when games matter.

What to watch next is whether Stewart’s influence continues across subsequent practices and whether similar standout stretches show up from other interior and edge defenders. For Indianapolis, maintaining that standard at the middle can help stabilize the entire scheme as the Colts progress toward the late-summer phase of training camp.