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INDIANAPOLIS – The NFL’s annual trade deadline ultimately proved just a tease in Indianapolis.

Despite numerous conversations about possible moves, the Indianapolis Colts' roster remained intact as Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline came and went.

The Colts’ front office was engaged in conversations involving several players, among them receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief, cornerback Vontae Davis and running back Frank Gore.

In the end, each stayed put.

Davis was seen as the most likely to go. He has struggled to rebound after his preseason groin injury, but he is still held in high regard around the league and would be an asset for a team looking for a veteran man-to-man defender. His contract expires at the end of the season, which could be good or bad, depending on a team’s long-term intentions.

Gore garnered definite interest. A trade to the Philadelphia Eagles was broached given the Eagles' need for running back depth, sources said. But Philadelphia opted to acquire Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi instead, sending Miami a fourth-round pick. There was some interest from the Seattle Seahawks, too, but nothing materialized.

The Colts might have been inclined to facilitate a deal for Gore, who is 34 and in the final year of his contract, had the right deal presented itself. Gore was open to a trade to a contending team given the Colts’ 2-6 record. At the same time, it’s unclear how willing the Colts might have been to move Gore after Robert Turbin’s season-ending elbow injury and its impact on the team’s running back depth.

Hilton reportedly generated a great deal of interest, but even for a rebuilding team, trading a 27-year old who last season led the NFL in receiving yards would seem short-sighted. Moncrief’s contract is expiring at the end of the season, and his long-term future with the Colts is uncertain, at best. But he, too, stays in Indy.

General Manager Chris Ballard made it clear during an interview on WFNI-1070 AM that he would not be giving anyone away.

“Somebody would really have to do something to pry one of our players away right now,” Ballard said.

Tuesday’s lack of moves is the proof that didn’t happen.

Follow Colts Insider Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.

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