Indianapolis, IN
NFL Power Rankings: Final rankings before 2024 regular season
![NFL Power Rankings: Final rankings before 2024 regular season NFL Power Rankings: Final rankings before 2024 regular season](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3755,h_2112,x_0,y_61/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/136/01j62gbasq7p477kvnyr.jpg)
There’s a lot to like about the Indianapolis Colts as we approach the 2024 regular season. With Anthony Richardson at the quarterback position, the Colts have arguably the single biggest anomaly under center in the entire league. Richardson is like a create-a-player in a video game. He’s just got such special talent, and we saw a glimpse last year of how Shane Steichen plans to unearth every ounce of it.
The Colts also have built a pretty strong defense personnel-wise, and there’s just again – a lot to like about this overall roster.
So what’s going to hold them back? There is still some high variance in the potential outcomes for Richardson this season. The Colts could legitimately win the AFC South if he plays up to his potential, but if he struggles, they could be picking in the top 10 of next year’s draft.
The offseason prognosis for the Denver Broncos has not exactly shined a very favorable light on this team. The Broncos have been clowned all offseason for taking a big dead cap hit after cutting Russell Wilson, trading Jerry Jeudy, and releasing Justin Simmons.
Many in the NFL world seem to think this team is going to be an absolute joke in 2024, but head coach Sean Payton loves his roster and loves his new franchise QB – Bo Nix. Nix was just named the starter for the Broncos and was arguably the best rookie QB of the entire 2024 class throughout the course of the preseason.
Nix looks like he’s going to give the Broncos a legit upgrade at QB this year. For a team that won eight games last year, the arrow could actually be pointing up.
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Indianapolis, IN
Overdose Awareness Day in Indiana
![Overdose Awareness Day in Indiana Overdose Awareness Day in Indiana](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/26/REPORTER-PKG-LLPKG.transfer_frame_733-e1724635628452.jpg)
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Sunday marked Overdose Awareness Day in Indiana.
Nationally, the day is celebrated Aug. 31, but in Indiana, Aug. 25 is set aside to increase awareness.
To honor Hoosier lives that have been lost, Indiana-based nonprofit Overdose Lifeline put on its 10th annual Overdose Awareness Day event at the Indiana State Museum, and hosted families of lives lost to overdose.
The program featured a meal together, a formal program, a candlelight vigil, and prevention resources.
“I believe healing, sharing, and prevention, those are three words that I would use to describe it,” attendee Tammie Nelson said about the event.
Nelson is hopeful the event will continue to boost awareness.
“A lot of people are still under the belief that substance use disorder, substance use, is a choice,” Nelson said. “And it’s not, it’s a disease, just like diabetes or cancer, and there should be awareness that there is hope.”
Tables were placed near a powerful backdrop of photos of several loved ones who have died.
Dr. Maria Robles is a physician focused on addiction medicine.
“I have a really hard time with the wall,” Robles said. “Our goal is recovery and getting people back on their feet and hoping that we can prevent things like this. We know that no matter what we do sometimes this is still the end result.”
She emphasized that despite the sad reality, partnering with community organizations like Overdose Lifeline is essential to keeping awareness at the center of the conversation.
Overdose Lifeline has several resources and opportunities to increase awareness year-round. For more information, click here.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Colts injury updates: Shane Steichen won’t put timetable on Josh Downs’ return
INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts are hopeful they can get a few of their key players back for a pivotal Week 1 against the Texans.
Receiver Josh Downs is off the scooter and walking with a good pace without a boot on following his high ankle sprain in training camp. The initial diagnosis was four to six weeks, which could have had him back by Week 1 or not until Week 4. But the Colts have optimism that it’s on the shorter end.
“I don’t want to put a timetable on it,” Steichen said. “I’d love to have him for Week 1. That’s the hope, for Week 1. But he’s progressing really well.”
Indianapolis Colts cut tracker: Who’s in, who’s out on 53-man NFL roster deadline
Steichen had more direct optimism for cornerback JuJu Brents, who has missed the past week with a nose injury; and running back Trey Sermon, who has been out with a hamstring issue.
Both players are supposed to return to practice next week, Steichen said. Sermon was doing some light running and stretching at Sunday’s practice, whereas Brents was in street clothes.
GO DEEPER: ‘Smallest thing on the football field’: Colts Josh Downs will be home for Christmas in NFL
The Colts have missed Downs in a noticeable way this preseason. The second-year wide receiver was enjoying one of the best training camps of any player, as he was playing like the high-volume slot receiver he was in the first half of his rookie season, before his knee injury aggravated. Without that timing and reliable play, Anthony Richardson has seen an up-and-down training camp when it comes to accuracy.
Adonai Mitchell has moved into his slot role, which gives the Colts a chance to get the second-round rookie more playing time as opposed to splitting reps with Alec Pierce. But he is also a developing player, and his chemistry with Richardson has been a work in progress.
The Colts will need to be as close to full-strength as possible to contend with the Texans, who won the AFC South last season before adding Pro Bowlers Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter in the offseason.
Contact Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.
Indianapolis, IN
Colts kick off High School Girls Flag Football league for the second season
![Colts kick off High School Girls Flag Football league for the second season Colts kick off High School Girls Flag Football league for the second season](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/25/GIRLS-FLAG-FOOTBALL.transfer_frame_845.jpg)
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts have kicked off the second season of their High School Girls Flag Football league.
Players hit the turf Saturday, and organizers say it gives multiple schools the opportunity for their female students to experience the sport.
This year, the league has grown to 27 teams across the state of Indiana.
The Colts created the league in 2023 with eight high school teams from Indianapolis and South Bend.
Some of those teams include female athletes from Pike, Warren Central, Michigan City, Hanover Central, Ben Davis, and many more.
Ben Davis Head Coach Adonis Dix says he is excited for this upcoming season.
“The Colts reached as far as wanting to do a flag football operation, but as far as getting teams around the city to participate and seeing what the engagement would be?” Dix said. “Ben Davis picked it up, as we usually do when it comes to sports. We liked to be the first ones to it, not the last ones. We started last year, it’s been going ever since. We’re extremely excited as we start year two.”
Kalen Jackson, Colts’ vice chair, says the team has noticed the growth in girls’ flag football over the past few years. He says they want to eventually establish girls’ flag football as a sanctioned high school sport in Indiana.
“Everyone should have a chance to take part in our great sport, so we’re pleased to open the game of flag football to high school girls in Indiana for the second year,“ Jackson said.
Each of the teams will play a three-week season, with the rest of the league starting up
The Colts have covered the costs for each team, such as coaching stipends, travel, game personnel, and equipment.
The Colts will also cover the cost of USA Football coaching memberships for all schools’ coaches.
Nike and the Colts will provide the jerseys for all the teams and USA Football will provide an equipment kit to all new schools.
To learn more about the league, visit its website.
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