Indianapolis, IN
Colts’ Quenton Nelson Shows Dominance in Titans Clash
The Indianapolis Colts are back in the win column following a 38-30 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The game got a little dicey down the stretch, but the Colts were firmly in control for most of the afternoon.
The Colts were propelled by their elite rushing attack in this game, as the team ran for a franchise-record 335 rushing yards. Running back Jonathan Taylor and quarterback Anthony Richardson will deservedly get their praise in the media this week, but superstar guard Quenton Nelson also deserves his fair share of love for the performance.
Nelson was sensational in this game, posting the second-highest run blocking grade in the entire NFL this weekend according to Pro Football Focus. The Colts leaned on their star blocker on multiple short yardage plays and he was a key piece in several runs that broke for big gains. Simply put, Nelson was Nelson against the Titans.
Since offensive linemen rarely get the love they deserve following a game like this, let’s dive into a couple of Nelson’s best blocks of the weekend.
The Key Cog in Short Yardage
The Colts’ short-yardage offense has simplified in recent weeks. Instead of trying to fool defenses with an intricate design or, dare I say, throwing the football, the Colts have leaned on running their star running back or their bulldozer quarterback behind their best offensive lineman on short-yardage plays.
As it turns out, those plays tend to work for the Colts.
Nelson is a dominant force as a puller and he is a devastating displacer in the run game. If the Colts need a few yards to get to the sticks or to punch it into the endzone, it’s always smart to run it behind Nelson. He was the main escort on Richardson’s first touchdown run of the afternoon and he should have been the lead block on his would-be second touchdown as well (if it weren’t bizarrely overturned on replay).
The Colts’ short yardage offense on Sunday: Run behind Quenton Nelson pic.twitter.com/034qPWn79X
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) December 23, 2024
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Block of the Game
Nelson had several blocks in this game that are worthy of mentioning, but this seemingly mundane rep on an eight yard run in the second quarter perfectly encapsulates the greatness of his play.
Nelson is, and always will be, known for his dominant physical traits, but he is one of the more cerebral players in the league on the offensive line. This clip showcases both the physical and the mental prowess in his game. He washes out the B gap defensive tackle with an outstanding combo block that gives Taylor enough room to gain positive yards.
The play could end here with a 4-5 yard gain off of this great interior block, but Nelson takes it one step further. He gets his eyes up and locates the crashing linebacker in the run lane. Nelson then pivots and washes out the linebacker with ease, creating a solid eight yard gain for his running back on the play. It may not be an explosive pancake block, but this play fired me up as a fan of great offensive line play.
Quenton Nelson was dominant on Sunday. This is just one of many elite showings he had in the run game vs. Tennessee pic.twitter.com/9taSVmFFvP
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) December 23, 2024
Teach-Tape Player
The Colts leaned on their trap/wham run game on Sunday to great success against the Titans’ defense. There are many elements that go into making these plays work, but the core aspect is tricking the interior defensive tackle.
These run plays can only work if the opposing defensive tackle gets vertical penetration too far up the field. After the Colts already hit the Titans with multiple runs like this, a good defensive tackle like T’Vondre Sweat wasn’t going to fall for the same tricks on the interior.
That is where Quenton Nelson comes in. The Colts teach their offensive linemen to flash hands at the defensive tackle to sell the trap run, but it is difficult to pull off every time in live action on gamedays. Nelson executes this run easily, however, and makes this block much easier for rookie Matt Goncalves on the trap call.
Nelson perfectly sets up like he is going to block Sweat on the interior before jumping out wide once Sweat is in the right spot for the trap. This makes Goncalves’ block much easier on the dominant defensive tackle, and Taylor is able to scoot around the block for a solid gain. Again, plays like this are what truly define Nelson as a player.
Look how Quenton Nelson sets up the trap run against T’Vondre Sweat. Really good rep from him to help Matt Goncalves make his block on the dominant DT pic.twitter.com/qaWT45xCqs
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) December 23, 2024
The Bottom Line
Nelson is a future Hall of Fame player having a fantastic season for the Colts. The team just set a franchise record for rushing yards in a game, and Nelson was a big reason why that happened.
In a year marred by inconsistency and disappointing play, Nelson has been a consistent bright spot. He is a true superstar player for this team and one of the players this Colts team can build around going forward, as they’ve done every year since he was drafted.
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by:
Gregg Montgomery and Kelsie Gibbs
Posted: / Updated:
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indy Parks on Saturday will unveil the restoration of longstanding fountains, a project almost two years in the making.
The fountains were already shooting water among newly landscaped walking paths on Wednesday afternoon at the Garfield Park Sunken Garden.
City planner and landscape architect George Kessler designed the Sunken Garden and the adjacent Garfield Park Conservatory, which was built in 1916 at 2505 Conservatory Drive.
Funds for the $3 million restoration project were part of an $80 million Lilly Endowment grant issued to Indy Parks in late 2022 for projects at 42 Indianapolis parks.
The Friends of Garfield Park, a group devoted to the south-side park, oversaw the project to restore the concrete walls and plumbing, and add color-changing lights to enhance the look of the fountains.
The group hopes to raise an additional $1 million for the upkeep of the fountains.
A news release issued Wednesday said a recognition event and a ribbon-cutting, free and open to the public, were scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday. Due to storms in the forecast, the event could be delayed or canceled.
Indianapolis, IN
That trail you walk downtown? It’s generated $3 billion for Indianapolis, study finds
See the 10th Street Cultural Trail Expansion ribbon cutting ceremon
Highlights: Indiana Ave. and 10th Street Cultural Trail Expansion ribbon cutting on Indiana Ave. on Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Indianapolis.
Since its creation, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail in the heart of Circle City has drawn millions of residents and visitors to its distinctive paved path. But according to a new report, the trail isn’t just beneficial for those looking to get out on an urban stroll or bike ride — it’s a driver for the city’s economy and quality of life.
The report, “Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick at 20: Connecting People, Places, and Possibility,” was based on analysis by James Lima Planning + Development, a group of real estate, planning and economic development advisors. Here’s what to know about the report.
How has the Cultural Trail affected the city’s growth, development?
According to the report from 2026, the 10-mile trail has generated $3 billion in assessed property value around its path — money that supports the city and its governmental services.
The population along the trail has grown five times the city average and retail space near the trail has increased 39%, the report shows. Nearby food and beverage sales are almost twice the average per square foot in Indianapolis.
Additionally, the report shows, undeveloped land along the trail has the potential to add $1.4 billion of value in the near future. Since an initial study in 2015, the trail’s economic impact has grown from $1 billion to $3 billion.
“For nearly 20 years, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail has helped transform Downtown Indianapolis into a more vibrant, connected and economically competitive city,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a June 3 news release. “It is more than a trail. It is a nationally recognized public asset that drives investment, supports local businesses, connects neighborhoods and improves quality of life for the people who live, work, play and stay in our city.”
According to the report, over 1 million people use the trail each year, and almost half of downtown Indianapolis residents live within a three-minute walk of the path.
What other features does the Cultural Trail offer?
Users of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail aren’t limited to walking — the Pacers Bikeshare program, operated by the trail, has 57 bike stations throughout the city that are accessible 24/7.
The trail also features nearly six acres of plants and greenspace, offering locals and visitors an urban getaway. City planners from across the world have visited the trail to study its design, according to the report.
What is the future of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail?
Focus on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail has shifted from construction and maintenance to long-term operations and expanded resources for the public.
Kären Haley, executive director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. — the trail’s nonprofit — said it has grown into the “crown jewel” of the city with the growth and development it has created over two decades.
“The Cultural Trail is driving billions in investment and making surrounding neighborhoods thriving destinations,” she said in a June 3 news release. “As we enter the next phase for the Trail, we look forward to building upon our initial 20 years of impact.”
Mia Thurow is the breaking news and criminal justice reporting intern for the Indianapolis Star. She can be reached at mthurow@gannett.com.
ICYMI: Top 5 IndyStar business stories in May 2026
A busy month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reignited debates about hotels and the downtown heliport. Plus, Eli Lilly celebrated 150 years.
May came and went, and with it, we saw the closest Indianapolis 500 finish in history, the 150th anniversary of Eli Lilly and a contested primary election day.
There’s also been some movement in retail news ahead of the summer shopping season. On the north side, a new women’s clothing store opened while a piercing studio set up shop in Speedway. Meanwhile, an indoor children’s play place opened on the near north side.
Read on for four spots that recently opened and one in Broad Ripple that said farewell.
Openings
Monkee’s
8659 River Crossing Blvd., monkeesofindianapolis.com, opened in March
Monkee’s of Indianapolis, a high-end women’s clothing store, opened recently on the north side in the Shops at River Crossing near the Fashion Mall. The brand Monkee’s started in the South three decades ago and has since grown to nearly 70 locations. In Indianapolis, Missy Llewellyn and Whitney Schmitt started the franchise to bring the clothing brand to the Circle City.
The Nest Play Cafe
515 E 22nd St Suite 101, indynestplaycafe.com, opened early May
The Nest Play Cafe opened at the corner of Central Avenue and 22nd Street, offering an indoor space for parents and caregivers to bring their children to play. Caregivers can book 90-minute play sessions for $15 per child over the age of one. Tickets for additional siblings run $10. The cafe sells coffee and snacks, too.
Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon. Closed Tuesdays.
Forget Me Not Piercing Studio
5324 W. 16th St., jessflowerspiercings.square.site, opened May 27
A new piercing studio opened in Speedway at the end of May just days after the Indianapolis 500. Forget Me Not Piercing offers traditional lobe, helix and conch piercings along with nostril and septum piercings. Artist Jess Flowers opened the one-woman shop on 16th Street.
Open Sunday and Thursday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Black Orchid Barbers Fountain Square
1201 Prospect St. Suite 100, blackorchidbarbers.com, opened in May
Black Orchid, a local barbershop known for its sharp haircuts with a side of humor, opened its Fountain Square spot, marking the company’s seventh brick-and-mortar location. Walk-ins are welcome but Black Orchid recommends grabbing a time slot online for your preferred service.
Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closures
Vitality IV Bar
6302 Guilford Ave., vitalityivbar.com
An IV-wellness spot in Broad Ripple shut its doors last month. Vitality IV Bar was located next to the Thieves cocktail lounge, formerly the Broad Ripple Starbucks location, before it went out of business.
Vitality IV still operates an Indianapolis-area location on Mass Ave downtown at 749 Massachusetts Ave where customers can book a variety of infusions with vitamins.
See a store opening or closing near you? Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.
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