Stephen Holder

IndyStar

Receiver Duron Carter was not among the Indianapolis Colts practice squad players signed to so-called "futures" contracts earlier this week, making it likely the coveted former Canadian Football League player will wind up on another team's roster.

Unlike players on active rosters, the contracts of practice squad players expire immediately after a team's season ends. The team then has a one-week window in which to sign those players to futures contracts, enabling them to keep their rights for the upcoming season. It would be surprising if the Colts opted not to offer a futures contract to Carter after keeping him on the practice squad for the duration of the season (something the Colts rarely do).

The more likely scenario is that Carter declined the Colts' offer, choosing instead to wait out the one-week window, at which point he can sign a deal with another club. Carter, according to a league source, had drawn interest from other teams during the season, but none pulled the trigger and signed him to their active roster. But in the offseason, when teams can carry 90 men on their rosters, Carter will appeal to other clubs.

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Keep an eye on the Minnesota Vikings, the team Carter's Hall of Fame father, Cris, played for and one that made an earnest effort to sign Duron when he left Canada last year. Carter's apparent decision to move on could be motivated by his disappointment at never being called up to the active roster in 2015. The Colts activated receiver Quan Bray from the practice squad and he finished the season in impressive fashion as their primary return man.

The Colts did sign six players to futures contracts this week, including tackle Pierce Burton, guard Ben Heenan, inside linebacker Edwin Jackson, guard Kitt O'Brien, safety Dezmen Southward and receiver Josh Stangby.

In other roster news, the contracts signed by quarterbacks Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley last week were, interestingly, two-year deals according to NFL Players Association records.

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The contracts obviously aren't guaranteed deals, so it's not as though either player has any assurances. But by signing each for two years, the Colts retain their rights going into the offseason and could opt to bring one or both them to offseason workouts or training camp.

The Colts have a big question at quarterback, where backup Matt Hasselbeck, 40, is considering retirement after an injury-filled season. He has made no decisions and likely won't for a while.

Freeman and Lindley combined to beat the Tennessee Titans on Sunday after the Colts lost starter Andrew Luck, Hasselbeck and third-stringer Charlie Whitehurst.

Follow Star reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.

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