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.”

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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.

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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 (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. 

INDIANAPOLIS — The City of Indianapolis has had a violent week that saw IMPD respond to over twenty 911 calls of a person shot.

On Saturday, The Marion County Public Health Department joined the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis and the Pathway Resource center to host a youth anti-gun violence event.

The event started with a two-mile walk on the far east side that ended at the Pathway Resource Center, which had a large gathering of food trucks and health vendors looking to assist the community.

The event was attended by numerous government officials, including members of the Indianapolis City County Council and Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.

The event aimed to bring awareness to gun violence amongst youth in Indianapolis.

East side resident Antonia Bailey knows the true pain of gun violence.

WRTV

Bailey’s children, Nicholas and Ashlynn, were killed five-years-ago this week. They were 15 and 16-years-old.

“We’re all one degree away from losing or being associated with gun violence. I never want anyone to ever feel the pain that I feel,” Bailey said.

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Bailey now works to ensure no other parents feel that pain.

“Our children deserve to be safe, alive and successful in whatever realm that points of being. They deserve to be that,” she said.

It’s an investment city officials hope to make in the 2025 budget.

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“Those investments are being made,” explained City County Counselor Andy Nielsen. “The kind of the year to date that we’ve seen already doesn’t repeat itself next year.”

Bailey hopes the city takes the next step to ensure a safer future.

“Let’s work on being the change that we want to see,” Bailey said.