Franchise Opportunities in Indianapolis, IN

It never felt quite right, as the star mentioned to NFL.com in a phone conversation this week.

"The season is tough enough, but when you got something hindering you, it makes it tougher," Taylor said.

Taylor confirmed to NFL.com that he underwent surgery on his ankle this past Wednesday. It was done by noted expert Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay. Taylor injured his ankle in Week 4 against the Titans and was never physically the same the rest of his third season.

After beginning the offseason simply rehabbing his ankle and working to be able to get out of a boot, there was still a lingering issue. Taylor saw Dr. Anderson and visited with Dr. David Porter, the Colts' team doctor, and they were "in lock-step."

So on Wednesday, Taylor underwent an arthroscopic debridement, a minimally invasive procedure to clean out the ankle. It was extremely successful, Taylor said, with Anderson -- whom he called, "the man, the legend" -- finding no structural damage.

"That thing had a bunch of junk in there from a bunch of years," Taylor said, laughing. "Just finally had to clean it out and make sure I'm good to go. We finally had the time to get it right, make sure I'm 100% ready to rock. That's all you can ask.

"It was a no-brainer. Get that out of the way, so you can focus on maintaining your body and get ready for the season."

Taylor was a breakout star in 2021, rushing for 1,811 yards with 18 touchdowns and earning All-Pro status. He was set up for a similar season in 2022, but injuring his ankle was a major setback. He missed two games and was never quite himself, though he continued to battle through the injury.

Eventually, Taylor's season ended with a trip to injured reserve for another ankle injury. Taylor wouldn't put a timeline on his recovery.

"The number one thing is taking time to heal," he said. "The number two thing is relaxing, just mentally, after the type of season we had. Get healthy, decompress mentally. I'll be on my feet in no time."

With plenty of time before training camp, expect Taylor and the Colts to take things slow this offseason.

"I'll be ready to go," he said.

The Indianapolis Colts won’t be playing on Championship Sunday but some players who could join Indy in 2023 will be on the field.

There are only four teams remaining in the NFL playoffs. Those teams are the Philadelphia Eagles, the Kansas City Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Cincinnati Bengals. On Sunday, Championship Sunday, the Eagles will play the 49ers in the NFC Championship and the Bengals will play the Kansas City Chiefs. All four teams are competing for a spot in this year’s Super Bowl.

These four teams making it this far is evident that they are the best of the best. Ideally, when teams are this good, the goal is to keep them together. Unfortunately, that’s not how the league works. Some of these players will be on different teams next season and helping an entirely new franchise try to reach the Super Bowl. For some, that next franchise could be the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts finished the year 4-12-1 and weren’t anywhere near making the playoffs. However, they’ve been attacking the offseason, starting with their search for a new head coach. Once that’s taken care of, Indy will turn its attention to free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. Many desirable, soon-to-be free agents will be playing on Championship Sunday. Which players from each team is Indy likely to go after?

Colts could sign Bengals defensive back Tre Flowers

Indianapolis is lucky to have Stephon Gilmore under contract for next season, and the team also has Isaiah Rodgers under contract. However, Brandon Facyson will be entering free agency and is unlikely to be re-signed. Additionally, Kenny Moore has one season remaining on his contract but his desire for an extension and the direction that Indy is going in may see Moore being traded to another team. That means the Colts will have to rebuild depth at the corner spot.

Tre Flowers is the perfect veteran to do that with. Flowers has been in the NFL since 2018 and he has played with the Seattle Seahawks and Cincinnati. Additionally, he has experience in multiple secondary positions. He’d be the perfect type of player to replace someone like Kenny Moore. Flowers can line up inside and help defend tight ends as well as receivers. He should be one of the free agents on Indy’s list this offseason.

The decision was made Saturday morning during the Action Session at the Winter Board Retreat.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools agreed to delay voting on a controversial tax referendum to help pay for the school district's Rebuilding Stronger plan.

Many organizations - including RISE Indy - are against the plan, saying it would cause a funding gap between students in independent public charter schools and students in district-run schools. They say, under the proposal, the total funding gap could be as high as $10,000.

The IPS Board of School Commissioners agreed to delay voting on the operating referendum during the Action Session at its Winter Board Retreat at the Madam Walker Legacy Center Saturday morning.

The district's capital referendum, which was unanimously approved in December, will remain on the ballot for May's primary election.

IPS plans to share how Saturday's decision to delay would impact its Rebuilding Stronger plan with staff, parents and families.

“This move today by IPS leaders will allow the tough but critical community conversations to happen to get this plan right," said Justin Ohlemiller, the executive director of Stand for Childen.

RISE Indy president and CEO Jasmin Shaheed-Young praised the board's courage to delay, saying in a prepared statement, "We look forward to working with the district to ensure there are more resources for public school students in Indianapolis. We know this means working locally and at the Statehouse, and we’re here for that fight."

IPS Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson expressed disappointment in the board's decision in her statement after Saturday morning's session, but reaffirmed that the input and work reflected in the Rebuilding Stronger plan's framework sets the district on a course "to be a more equitable district with great school choices open to every family in every neighborhood."

Dr. Johnson called on community leaders to have hard conversations so public schools of all types "can accomplish that goal of our children winning so that taxpayers aren't asked to bear the burden of what is currently two different systems in our center city."

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is expected to miss the start of the 2023 season as he recovers from a torn ACL, details NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

"[Murray] is going to take his time and make sure this thing is 100 per cent right. He's young, he's got a long career; he's not going to rush. So do not be surprised if we do not see him to start the season, or maybe even by the mid-way point," Rapoport said.

From @NFLGameDay: Healing 100% is most important for #AZCardinals QB Kyler Murray, so don’t expect him ready to start 2023; Meanwhile, #Colts RB Jonathan Taylor detailed his ankle surgery for me and why it was the best decision for his future. pic.twitter.com/xGXNWvzOVf

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2023

The 25-year-old injured his knee on the third play of Week 14's Monday night's 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots. Murray was flushed out of the pocket and running to his right when he tried to juke past a Patriots defender, but tumbled to the grass in obvious pain.

Murray was later diagnosed with a torn ACL and would miss the remainder of the season.

A former first-overall draft pick in 2019, Murray is in his fourth season with the Cardinals. Coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl selections, Murray recently signed a $230.5 million contract during the off-season that could keep him with the franchise until 2028.

In 11 games this season, he finished with 2,368 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The Cardinals are in the midst of a head-coaching search as Kliff Kingsbury was fired following a 3-13 season.

Rapoport also states that Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor underwent successful surgery on his ankle.

"That thing [Taylor's ankle] had a bunch of junk in there from a bunch of years so we finally had time to get it right to make sure I'm 100 per cent ready to rock," Taylor said to Rapoport.

A year removed from his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod, the University of Wisconsin product rushed for 861 yards and four touchdowns in 192 carries over 11 games.

Much like the Cardinals, the Colts also on the search for a new coach as then-head coach Frank Reich was fired mid-season. Former Colts centre Jeff Saturday assumed the head coaching duties on an interim basis. Saturday has since interviewed for the permanent position.

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INDIANAPOLIS — Inflation is impacting nearly everything we do — from what we pay to how we spend our money.

But is it impacting the way we tip? Many Hoosiers we spoke to say yes.

“I do think it has gotten a little bit out of control because there are times when I want to be nice and help somebody out, but I also have to pay other bills,” Indianapolis resident Erika Chapman said.

As more businesses and restaurants adopt digital payments methods, people are sometimes being asked to leave a tip at places they normally wouldn’t. Some experts say the digital requests can lead to social pressure and are sometimes difficult to bypass.

“The presence of a line on a receipt or a sign pad or a jar of cash makes it almost seem obligatory,” Dan O’Leary said.

The lack of tipping or the pressure of feeling like you constantly have to leave a tip can leave an impact on the workers and restaurant owners.

“That’s one of the things that’s on the forefront of my mind when we are raising prices because how much are these people going to be able to afford to tip? Most of these folks only make $2.13 an hour,” Dave Andrus, the Owner of Pearl Street Pizzeria & Pub in Downtown Indianapolis, said.

Katelyn Cornelius has spent the last nine years as a bartender and general manager at Pearl Street Pizzeria & Pub.

“With pricing changes, it's really difficult for us to make money,” Cornelius said. “We are relying on those tips ... that’s our livelihood; that’s what puts food on our tables.”

Andrus and Cornelius knows all too well the impact inflation and the pandemic has had on their restaurant.

Etiquette trainer Renae Weghorst says the art of tipping is all about relationship building

The AARP has these guidelines when it comes to tipping.

Food server

For a full-service, sit-down meal, 15 to 20 percent of the pretax bill is customary. At a buffet, leave a 10 percent tip. Just picking up a sandwich or a decaf latte from the counter? Tip at least 10 percent.

Hairstylist/barber

Stylists and barbers should be tipped a minimum of 15 to 20 percent of the service, and that tip can be split among others who assisted (for example, the shampoo person and colorist). Apply the same value to manicures, pedicures, massages and the like. Think the owner of the salon shouldn't be tipped? Turns out that's an old tradition. Owners today appreciate and will accept 15 to 20 percent.

Cable/satellite installer

With the high price of cable and satellite service, a tip is likely the last thing on your mind. But if the technician's beyond-believable service warrants it, and you've got it to spare, offer no more than $20.

Last year WRTV profiled a couple businesses that took on a different approach to leaving a tip.