Colts retained LB Brackett with five-year deal

The Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett has wished that he could finish his NFL career as a Colt, and that may come true- the Colts have offered him a new contract that will keep him in the Colts jersey for the next five years, just a few hours after the 29-year-old linebacker officially became an unrestricted free agent.

“Obviously, this is a great place to play and when you get a chance to stay a Colt for life, you usually jump at it,” Brackett said during a news conference at the team’s complex. “That’s why I wanted to do everything within my power to make this my home.”

According to reports, the five-year contract will offer Brackett a pay $33 million, including a $12 million signing bonus and is likely to make him the team’s highest-paid linebacker in a decade. It’s lucky enough for Brackett to be able to stay with the Colts after becoming unrestricted free agent, and such a big contract is easily taken as the reward for Brackett’s performance during the seven seasons he has spent all only with the Colts.

Colts have rarely made offers to retain unrestricted free agent linebackers. Since the end of the 2002 season, they have allowed four linebackers to leave as unrestricted free agents, including Mike Peterson, Marcus Washington, Cato June and David Thornton.

Colts will play Sunday game against Cardinals without two starting LBs

The Indianapolis Colts practiced on Wednesday without two starting linebackers: starting middle linebacker Gary Brackett and weak-side starter Clint Session, both of which have suffered injuries and could miss Sunday night’s game at Arizona.

Losing both Brackett and Session would deplete further a defense that's having trouble stopping the run. Especially, the Colts will face the Cardinals, who will have wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston playing on Sunday night. Therefore, the Colts did not only pick Freddy Keiaho to play the middle instead of Brackett and second-year pro Philip Wheeler to replace Session, they also resigned linebacker Jordan Senn to reinforce the position.

The Colts also expect rookie cornerback Jerraud Powers to return and be able to wear back colts jersey and play against the Cardinals. Powers missed the game against the Miami Dolphins with a groin injury and veteran Tim Jennings replaced him in the starting lineup, but he was constantly victimized by Miami wide receiver Ted Grinn Jr. So the Colts defense really needs Powers back in the lineup.