Indianapolis, IN
Colts’ Coaches Reveal Laiatu Latu’s Massive Improvement
Looking back at this offseason’s draft, the Indianapolis Colts made an interesting first-round selection of UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu at 15th overall, which effectively took the first defensive player in the class off the board for a heavily offensive-focused group of prospects.
So far, through 12 appearances, Latu has taken care of his business and has started to come onto the scene as the season has progressed– posting four sacks, 25 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles.
Latu has also begun to make a strong impression on his coaching staff in recent weeks, especially with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
Ahead of the Colts’ upcoming contest vs. the Denver Broncos, Bradley was asked during his media availability about the growth he’s seen from Latu across his rookie season, mentioning one big attribute that’s gotten notably better as the year’s gone on.
“I think he’s always had the pass rush skillset that we’re looking for,” Bradley said. “I think where he’s evolved is in the run game. He’s doing a much better job from where he was initially. It was never bad, but I just see him more stout at the point, getting off blocks, making plays in the run game. So, he’s becoming more established there.”
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Seeing an improvement in rushing defense is a quality the Colts could benefit immensely from down the final stretch of this season, especially if it’s stemming from a first-year player like Latu.
Currently, Indianapolis ranks 31st in the NFL for opposing rushing yards and attempts, and 21st in opposing rushing touchdowns and yards per attempt. They’ve allowed over 100 rushing yards in eight of their 13 contests, going 4-4 over those performances.
Thankfully, this unit will have it easier on that front for their final four showings of the year, as none of the Colts’ opponents rank very highly in their respective rushing efficiency. However, if Latu can be a catalyst for an Indianapolis resurgence in defending the run game, it can be a massive assist to their hopes of making a postseason push.
Latu’s next chance to make a stout impression will be at 1 PM ET on Sunday in the Mile High City, in what could be the most important game of the season for the 6-7 Colts.
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Indianapolis, IN
Good and bad from Colts’ 2026 NFLPA report card grades
What grades did the Indianapolis Colts earn on the 2026 NFLPA report cards?
The NFLPA is no longer able to make their annual report cards public. However, ESPN’s Kayln Kahler was able to obtain a copy of the reports following the 2025 NFL season, and the Indianapolis Colts were again around the middle of the pack.
In these report cards, players rate numerous aspects of the organizations they play for, from ownership to the training facilities and everything in between. According to Kahler, 1,759 players contributed to these grades.
So, where did the Colts end up this year relative to the rest of the NFL this year?
Overall, the Colts ranked 17th. Below is a breakdown of each individual grade they received.
- Treatment of Families: B
- Home Game Field: D
- Food/Dining Area: B
- Nutritionist/Dietician: A-
- Locker Room: C+
- Training Room: B
- Training Staff: B+
- Weight Room: B
- Strength Coaches: A
- Position Coaches: B
- Offensive Coordinator: B
- Defensive Coordinator: B+
- Special Teams Coordinator: B+
- Team Travel: B-
- Head Coach: A-
- General Manager: A
- Team Ownership: A
Of note, although the Colts haven’t been to the postseason in five years, Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard both received high marks.
Carlie Irsay Gordon, Kalen Jackson, and Casey Foyt earned an A in their first year as the primary owners.
The field at Lucas Oil Stadium received a very low mark, earning a D, while the locker room was given a C+. Those were the two lowest grades the Colts received.
Compared to the 2025 rankings, the Colts moved up two spots this year, after coming in at 19th last year.
The biggest jumps the Colts experienced came in the Food/Dining grade, which went from a C to a B. The Team travel grade also jumped from a D+ to a B-.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis police search for 3 people after shooting, stolen vehicle crash
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — After a shooting, Indianapolis police were searching for three people who fled on foot following the pursuit of a stolen vehicle and its crash on Thursday afternoon.
No information was provided in the notification about the three people being sought. News 8 reached out to IMPD by email to find out details about the three people. Anyone with information regarding the incident or the people who fled the crash was asked to contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
The stolen vehicle was linked to a Thursday shooting, prompting the lockdown of a nearby child care center, IMPD said in a media notification. No information was provided about where the shooting happened, what may have led to it, or whether anyone was hurt.
IMPD, however, said the stolen vehicle and crash were not related to a shooting reported at 12:35 p.m. Thursday at a gas station and restaurant at West 38th and Meridian streets.
IMPD officers found the stolen vehicle around 12:45 p.m. Thursday near East 38th Street and Post Road. When a detective attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled westbound before crashing a short time later near Whenner Drive, the notification said. It did not say what type of vehicle was abandoned in the crash.
Three people from the crashed vehicle fled southwest on foot. IMPD established a perimeter with assistance from the Indiana State Police, the Lawrence Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office — using specialized resources, including a state police helicopter, a special weapons and tactics team, and the IMPD’s police dogs — but did not find the three people.
IMPD said a firearm was found in the crashed vehicle, and a man detained at the crash scene was later released once investigators determined he was not directly involved in the incident.
Police have since lifted the lockdown on the child care center.
IMPD’s public information office can be reached at 317-327-3424.
Indianapolis, IN
Oakland tops IU Indianapolis; Maguire Mitchell scores 25
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Brody Robinson had 19 points in Oakland’s 86-74 win against IU Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Robinson added 13 assists for the Golden Grizzlies (16-14, 12-7 Horizon League). Tuburu Niavalurua scored 16 points, going 6 of 10 and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line. Ziare Wells had 14 points and finished 7 of 15 from the field.
Maguire Mitchell led the Jaguars (7-23, 3-16) in scoring, finishing with 25 points and four assists. Kyler D’Augustino added 14 points for IU Indianapolis. Micah Davis also had 12 points.
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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