WESTFIELD — Colts owner Jim Irsay sounded hopeful that center Ryan Kelly will ultimately remain in Indianapolis after this season.

Kelly, who is the team’s longest-tenured player and headed into the final year of the four-year, $50 million extension he signed in 2020, opened training camp by saying the franchise did not see an extension as a priority before the end of this season.

Irsay struck a different tone in his meeting with local media at training camp Sunday.

“We love Ryan,” Irsay said. “A guy like Ryan’s always a priority. You just love him as a person, and he’s a talented player, he’s been to Pro Bowls. … No question, a Pro Bowl center is a priority.”

Kelly, 31, has made four Pro Bowls in the past five seasons, bouncing back after the offensive line’s struggles in 2022 by making the Pro Bowl a year ago.

“We made it known that we wanted to stay, and that we wanted to have an extension,” Kelly said at the opening of camp. “They didn’t see it as part of their priority.”

Faced with a similar decision on defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, the Colts extended the team’s defensive leader with a two-year, $46 million extension this summer that keeps Buckner in Indianapolis through the 2026 season.

But Kelly has dealt with at least three concussions in his career, and Indianapolis drafted Wisconsin center Tanor Bortolini in the fourth round of April’s draft.

“Every case is different,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said after Kelly made his comments. “I think one thing we’ve proven since we’ve been here is we’re really to players that have been good players. I think that will work itself out over time.”

The Colts did bring back nearly all of the players who reached free agency last season, signing 11 of its 15 free agents to come back to Indianapolis, including stars in Kelly’s position, heading into their third NFL contract like nose tackle Grover Stewart, cornerback Kenny Moore II and middle linebacker Zaire Franklin.

Even if Kelly makes it to free agency, he could end up reaching his ultimate goal, to continue playing in Indianapolis.

“I hope that things work out well, and I know Chris is talking with the agent,” Irsay said. “We’re hopeful.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Missing Persons detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 64-year-old man with dementia.

Jeffrey Miller, 64, is described as a black male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 164 pounds, with brown eyes and bald hair.

Miller was last seen when he left his residence in 2600 block of Adams St. on July 28 at approximately 1 a.m. Police said Miller walked off his front porch in an unknown direction.

He was wearing stone washed jeans, a multiple color shirt, and a blue jean jacket.

Miller’s family says he has been diagnosed with dementia. He may be in need of immediate medical assistance.

If located, contact IMPD or Missing Persons at 317-327-6160 or 317-327-3811.

The Indianapolis Colts will be getting back second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson this season following surgery to his throwing shoulder. The No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft was limited to just four games but provided evidence that he could be the starter moving forward.

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He threw for 577 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. But where he was most dangerous was on the ground as he racked up 136 yards and four touchdowns.

Shane Steichen was asked whether or not it could be beneficial for the Colts to limit Richardson on running attempts to avoid further injury. The head coach responded fairly honestly, comparing his young signal-caller to Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

“People ask this, too, a lot,” Steichen said at a Thursday news conference. “It’s just like ‘Hey, are you gonna limit the run game?’ And I kind of think, like, shoot, are you gonna limit Steph Curry from shooting three-pointers? Well, that’s one of Anthony’s strengths. So, we’re not gonna get away from that. That’s what he does well.”

Richardson showed that he was extremely effective in running the ball in limited time this past season. Before his injury, he was firing on all cylinders and Indianapolis is excited about the potential he has going forward.

The second-year player echoed a similar sentiment to that of his head coach but wants to do what is best for the team. He knows that his legs are what makes him special as a talent but also that he has to be more careful when running the ball going forward.

“My legs [have] always been one of my superpowers,” Richardson said. “So, trying to take that away from me, I don’t think that’s a good thing for this offense. It’s just more so me playing a little bit smarter, and learning how to take care of myself and my teammates. Knowing when to make the right play and knowing when to try to get the extra few yards. Don’t take my legs away, but being more smart.”

Staying on the field will be crucial to the development of Richardson and the overall success of the Colts. Playing in the wide-open AFC South, Indianapolis could make some noise and get themselves back to the postseason for the first time since 2020.

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