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Indianapolis Colts Need to Land This Veteran Defender

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Indianapolis Colts Need to Land This Veteran Defender


The Indianapolis Colts need help at safety. Justin Simmons, one of the NFL’s best players at the position, is currently a free agent. With that said, a Simmons-to-Indy scenario just makes a ton of sense.

Surprisingly, Simmons is still available. After the Denver Broncos released him in March, you would think he would’ve signed with another team by now. But obviously, that hasn’t happened yet. Justin Simmons is an immensely talented Pro-Bowler who could immediately upgrade the Colts secondary.

Indianapolis Colts Need to Land Free Agent Safety Justin Simmons

Justin Simmons’ Football Career

After playing his college ball at Boston College, Justin Simmons was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He went on to have an astounding eight-year career in Denver. Simmons earned two Pro Bowl nods and was named a four-time Associated Press second-team All-Pro. He also earned an NFL Top 100 selection three times. In addition, he was a three-time nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

Justin Simmons had several outstanding plays during his time with the Broncos. He came up with game-winning interceptions versus the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders in 2017, the Miami Dolphins in 2020, and the Washington Commanders during the 2021 season. Perhaps his most memorable play came in 2016 when he blocked an extra point against the New Orleans Saints. Fellow safety Will Parks ultimately returned it as Denver won the game.

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Simmons is the league’s only player to record at least three interceptions in each of the past six seasons. He tied for the NFL lead in interceptions during the 2022 season.

2023 was a Pro Bowl campaign for Simmons. The Florida native produced 70 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a sack.

Why Indianapolis Should Sign Him

The Colts selected a pair of designated safeties (Jaylon Carlies and Jaylin Simpson) in the fifth round of this year’s draft. However, both players are moving to different positions. Carlies will play linebacker while Simpson switches to cornerback. Therefore, the Colts really didn’t address the safety position via the draft.

Indianapolis did re-sign Julian Blackmon this offseason, though. While he’s guaranteed to start at strong safety, the free safety spot is up for grabs. Daniel Scott, who was competing for a starting spot, suffered a season-ending injury this spring for the second consecutive year.

Simmons would be perfect for the job. Although he’s 30 years old, he hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. He and Blackmon could form a dynamic one-two punch this upcoming season. Plus, Simmons could mentor Indy’s young safeties like 22-year-old Nick Cross.

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After signing all nine of their draft picks, the Colts currently have about $25 million in cap space. That means they have enough money to sign Simmons, whose expected salary is roughly $11 million.

It’s unclear whether Colts general manager Chris Ballard will add a veteran safety this offseason or rely on young players like Cross and Rodney Thomas II. But if he chooses to go that route, Justin Simmons needs to be the guy.

Main Photo Credit: Syndication: The Indianapolis Star



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Indianapolis, IN

Here’s when Indianapolis might see snow this weekend, NWS says

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Here’s when Indianapolis might see snow this weekend, NWS says


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A quick-moving low pressure system could bring more snow to Indianapolis this weekend, the National Weather Service predicts.

A few flurries and patches of freezing rain are expected Saturday before noon. The rest of the day will be cloudy with a high of 34 degrees.

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Overnight, temperatures will drop to 26 degrees. Snow will begin to fall in the early hours of Sunday morning, ending at around 10 a.m. before turning to a wintry mix.

Forecasters don’t expect much of the weekend’s snow to stick. Andrew White, an NWS meteorologist, said Indianapolis might see half an inch of accumulation on Sunday morning.

Sunday night will be bitterly cold, with a low of 14 degrees and wind chills near zero. A sunny Monday will only heat up to about 25 degrees, and wind chills will reduce that into the teens.

Indianapolis weather radar

Weather travel advisories

Weather info you need

🚨 Indiana Weather Alerts: Warnings, Watches and Advisories.

⚡ Indiana power outage map: How to check your status.

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💻 Internet outages: How to track them.

🚫 What you should and shouldn’t do when the power is out.

🐶 Your neighbor left their pet outside. Who you should call.

Where to report power outages and downed lines

  • AES Indiana customers: 317-261-8111
  • Duke Energy customers: 1-800-343-3535

How to report downed traffic signals or tree limbs blocking a road

If you encounter a downed traffic signal or a limb blocking a roadway, contact the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622 or online at RequestIndy.gov. When calling after hours, press “2” to be connected. 

Indianapolis and Indiana road conditions

Check road conditions, including road closures, crashes and live webcams using Indiana’s online Trafficwise map at 511in.org, or visit our gridlock guide page for live traffic cams and more.

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INDOT’s CARS Program provides information about road conditions, closures and width and weight restrictions. The website has a color-coded map of Indiana’s highways and highlights hazardous road conditions and travel delays.

The interactive map also shows road work warnings, closures, roadway restrictions and other information helpful to drivers.

Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.



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ISP: Indianapolis Man Arrested for Shooting Two Kirklin Town Marshals

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ISP: Indianapolis Man Arrested for Shooting Two Kirklin Town Marshals


(Photo by Jiri Hera/Getty.)

CLINTON COUNTY, Ind.–An Indianapolis man accused of shooting two Kirklin Town Marshals in Clinton County last month was arrested on Thursday.

In an update Friday afternoon, State Police said 29-year-old Jehrome Bowens was arrested and charged with attempted murder, battery by means of a deadly weapon, theft, and unlawful carrying of a handgun.

Bowens was released from a hospital in Indianapolis area hospital on Thursday and immediately taken to the Clinton County Jail.

The incident happened on November 18 when a Clinton County deputy conducted a traffic stop on State Road 29. The Kirklin Town Marshal’s Office assisted the deputy during the stop.

State Police say it was Bowens who fired a handgun at the officers and hit the two Kirklin marshals. One of the marshals had to be taken to a hospital. The other marshal was hit, but was wearing a bullet-resistant vest, which prevented injury.

There were four adults and one child in a vehicle where the traffic stop happened. One adult was hit by gunfire and had to be taken to a hospital, but survived. Two other adults and the child were not injured.



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The ‘People’s Proposal’ encourages ILEA to prioritize voice and choice for Indianapolis Public Schools

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The ‘People’s Proposal’ encourages ILEA to prioritize voice and choice for Indianapolis Public Schools


INDIANAPOLIS — A coalition of different Indy-based organizations, including the Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America (CINDSA), Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Education Association and the Indianapolis Public Schools Parent Council, announced their support for “The People’s Proposal for a Voice and a Choice” at a press conference on Thursday.

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The ‘People’s Proposal’ encourages ILEA to prioritize voice and choice for IPS

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“The voice part comes from retaining a fully elected democratic board, one that serves all of us. The choice part comes from preserving school choice, which IPS has done a phenomenal job of with their zones, and the Montessori schools and the IB schools,” Co-Chair of the Fully Funded, Fully Public Campaign, a standing committee of Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America Adrea McCloud said.

“My heart is too big. I love my students just as much as I love my own children. Thinking about the possibility of disruptions of losing their school, losing their community. That terrifies me,” McCloud said.

“We’re deeply concerned about some of the options they’re putting forward that would cause seismic changes to public education to Indianapolis,” Hannah Marley with the Indianapolis Education Alliance added.

The plan is intended for the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA).

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The city-led body is tasked with developing recommendations on school facilities, transportation, governance and efficiency.

“This is not just about today’s students. It’s about ensuring Indianapolis has a strong, stable, excellent public education system for decades to come,” Board of School Commissioners President Angelia Moore said at an IPS Community Conversation event last month.

WRTV

But many parents WRTV spoke with Thursday say they’re frustrated with the ILEA, the process for feedback, and the several models presented thus far.

“I’m an IPS resident. I expect to vote for my own school board. Just as every single community in the state does,” MaryAnn Schlegel Ruegger said.

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“Parents feel frustrated with the engagement opportunities, or lack thereof, with the ILEA. What I’m hearing and what I’m feeling is that we are permitted to listen to what they’re sharing with us, and then we get 60 seconds to rush through how we’re feeling about this,” Kristen Phair with the IPS Parent Council added.


Nico Pennisi is the In Your Community reporter for Downtown Indy. He joined WRTV in October 2022. His passion has always been telling the stories of people who often get overlooked. Share your story ideas and important issues with Nico by emailing him at nico.pennisi@wrtv.com.





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