Mathis knew, as does everyone else, that Harrison might not be back in the Colts' locker room next season.

Nothing's been determined, but the $13 million-plus that Harrison would earn next season might be too much for the Colts to pay, even for a receiver who's been topped only by the legendary Jerry Rice.

"That's tough," Colts linebacker Gary Brackett said. "Obviously, Marvin's a Hall of Famer. But we still don't know what the decision will be on him. Until we hear anything, we're optimistic. ... In the salary cap era, some people they decide to let go. That's the nature of the business."

Harrison did not answer questions Sunday. Colts coach Tony Dungy said the decision on whether to bring him back would be among the topics he'll discuss with owner Jim Irsay and team president Bill Polian. Dungy is also contemplating whether to return.

Other Colts have contracts that are up for review, including center Jeff Saturday and cornerback Kelvin Hayden.

"You have to work everything out in terms of payroll and salary cap when you have as many good players as we have," Dungy said.

The finality of the Colts' 23-17 wild-card playoff-round loss to the San Diego Chargers moved the team directly into off-season mode. That certainly wasn't the preferred plan, but it is reality.

"You'll probably want to give me a few weeks before I look back on the season and see what I take away from it," Saturday said. "Right now, I don't take away a whole lot. Losing to an 8-8 team out there is frustrating. We didn't do what needed to get done."

The Colts expressed frustration over some penalties that were called, particularly three that resulted in first downs on the Chargers' game-winning drive in overtime. Defensive players lamented an inability to get off the field on third downs and regretted a rough time dealing with the Chargers' small, potent back, Darren Sproles. Sproles accumulated 328 yards in all-purpose yardage and scored the winning touchdown.

"His stature doesn't characterize what he can do," Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden said. "He's a small guy with a big heart."

Saturday was still shaking his head over the performance of Chargers punter Mike Scifres, who punted six times, pinning the Colts at their own 10-, 15-, 3-, 5-, 9- and 1-yard lines.

"Their punter did significant damage," Saturday said. "That guy deserves 10 game balls, that's the bottom line." Peyton Manning completed 27 of 42 passes for 310 yards and one touchdown, but the Colts rushed for only 64 yards on 2.9 yards per carry, a season-long problem.

"It makes your play-action (passing) that much more difficult to do," Saturday said of the running game's problems. "There are a number of things not working and we have to get better at it."

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