Sam Franklin Jr. Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Bills vs Browns game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Aug 26, 2025
Signs with Buffalo
The Bills signed Franklin on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin lands on his feet quickly after he was released by the Broncos earlier Tuesday. The veteran safety appeared in 74 regular-season contests in Carolina over the previous five seasons. He recorded 105 tackles (74 solo), including 1.0 sacks, five pass breakups, including one interception, and one forced fumble in that span. Franklin will handle reserve safety duties while contributing on special teams in Buffalo.
Aug 26, 2025
Released by Denver
The Broncos released Franklin on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin inked a one-year deal with Denver back in April after spending the first five seasons of his career in Carolina. Franklin is a reserve safety and special teams contributor.
Apr 8, 2025
Signs one-year deal in Denver
The Broncos signed Franklin to a one-year contract Tuesday, Jon Heath of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin, who spent the first five years of his NFL career in Carolina, suited up for 10 regular-season games with the Panthers in 2024. He played 236 snaps on special teams and just four snaps on defense in that span. Now, the 29-year-old safety will compete for a similar role in Denver.
Oct 27, 2024
Will make season debut Sunday
Franklin (foot) is active for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Broncos, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin began the campaign on IR and missed each of Carolina's first seven contests. He was activated Saturday after finishing the week with consecutive full practices. Franklin has logged more snaps on special teams than on defense each of the past three seasons and will likely fill a similar role now that he's back in action.
Oct 26, 2024
Removed from IR
The Panthers activated Franklin (foot) from injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin, Carolina's special teams captain, has yet to make an appearance during the regular season due to a fractured foot sustained during training camp. He remains questionable for Sunday's road matchup against the Broncos.
Oct 25, 2024
Could return from IR
Franklin (personal/foot) was a full practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Franklin broke his foot in late July, which caused him to begin the regular season on injured reserve. His 21-day window to return from IR opened Oct. 14, and while he opened this week as a DNP on Wednesday, he finished strong with consecutive full practices. By practicing without limitations over the last two days, Franklin has given himself a chance of being activated off IR ahead of Sunday's contest.
Oct 16, 2024
Officially designated to return
Franklin (foot) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The Temple product broke his foot in late July and has yet to play for the Panthers this season. However, the opening of his 21-day practice window Wednesday indicates he's nearing a return to the field. Expect Franklin to serve as a depth piece in a struggling Panthers secondary once he's activated to the team's active roster.
Oct 14, 2024
Returning to practice
Head coach Dave Canales told reporters Monday that Franklin (foot) has been cleared to start practicing this week, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.
ANALYSIS
The Temple product broke his foot in late July and has yet to suit up for any of the Panthers' games thus far. However, Canales' comments Monday indicate that Franklin is almost past his injury. Expect Franklin to serve as one of the Panthers' top reserve safeties once he's activated off the team's injured reserve list.
Aug 27, 2024
Lands on IR-R
Franklin (foot) was placed on the Panthers' IR-R on Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin broke his foot on July 29 and has been sidelined since. He was expected to play a big role on Carolina's special-teams unit prior to the injury. It is unclear where his timeline for recovery stands, but the 28-year-old will be eligible to return Week 5 versus the Saints if his health allows it.
Jul 29, 2024
Breaks foot
Franklin broke his foot during Saturday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Head coach Dave Canales called Franklin's injury "a big hit" due to the 28-year-old's value to Carolina's special-teams unit, per David Newton of ESPN.com. Franklin appeared in all 17 of the Panthers' regular-season games last season, recording 30 total tackles and three passes defended, including one interception, while playing a total of 602 snaps (313 on special teams). Once the Temple product is past his foot injury, he's expected to remain an integral part of the Panthers' special-teams unit.
Jul 29, 2024
Breaks foot
Franklin broke his foot during Saturday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Head coach Dave Canales called Franklin's injury "a big hit" due to the 28-year-old's value to Carolina's special-teams unit, per David Newton of ESPN.com. Franklin appeared in all 17 of the Panthers' regular-season games last season, recording 30 total tackles and three passes defended, including one interception, while playing a total of 602 snaps (313 on special teams). Once the Temple product is past his foot injury, he's expected to remain an integral part of the Panthers' special-teams unit.
Mar 27, 2024
Returns to Carolina
The Panthers re-signed Franklin to a one-year contract Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin suited up for all 17 regular-season games with Carolina last season, finishing with 30 tackles (20 solo) and three passes defended, including an interception which he returned for a 99-yard touchdown against the Vikings in Week 4. He also played 310 snaps on special teams.
Jan 15, 2024
Plays all 17 games
Franklin finished the regular season with 30 tackles (20 solo) and three passes defended, including a 99-yard interception returned for a touchdown, in 17 games.
ANALYSIS
Franklin has played every game for the Panthers over the past two seasons. The highlight of his 2023 campaign was his long touchdown in Week 4, the first end-zone trip of his four-year career. Franklin will now become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Dec 17, 2023
Good to go Sunday
Franklin (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin was a limited participant in practice all week and will suit up Sunday. He's primarily served on special teams since Week 9 and has four tackles (three solo) over that six game span.
Oct 29, 2023
Set to start Week 8
Franklin is set to start at strong safety for Sunday's game against the Texans, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The move comes with safeties Vonn Bell (quadriceps) and Alex Cook (coach's decision) both inactive for Sunday's contest. Franklin has 22 tackles in six games this season -- already surpassing his 20 tackles from last year -- and an interception return for a touchdown. He'll start at strong safety next to Xavier Woods.
Oct 3, 2023
Takes advantage of start
Franklin recorded four tackles (two solo) and returned an interception for a touchdown in Sunday's 21-13 loss to the Vikings.
ANALYSIS
Franklin received the start at free safety with Xavier Woods (hamstring) unable to play and took advantage of the opportunity. With the Vikings on the doorstep, the Temple product was able to pick off a pass intended for K.J. Osborn at the 1-yard line and take it 99 yards for the first score of the game. It was the 27-year-old's first interception of his career, as well as his first touchdown. With Woods still ailing and potentially facing a multi-week absence, Franklin may get the start again in Week 5 against the Lions.
Oct 1, 2023
Expected to start
Franklin should start Sunday against the Vikings, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin will be the one to get the nod at free safety in place of Xavier Woods, who will be out with a hamstring injury. The Temple product ended up playing 53 defensive snaps against the Seahawks in Week 3, after Woods left with the injury, and recorded five tackles and a pass defended.
Apr 25, 2023
Headed to Carolina
Franklin signed a one-year deal with the Panthers on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin was originally a restricted free agent, and now that he's signed his tender, the 27-year-old will be back in Carolina for the upcoming campaign. The 2020 undrafted free agent played primarily on special teams last season and logged 20 tackles (15 solo) in 17 games. Franklin should have a similar role and continue to contribute on special teams for the 2023 campaign.
Mar 14, 2023
Tendered by Panthers
Franklin received the minimum restricted free agent tender from the Panthers on Monday, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
This move gives the Panthers the ability to match any contract offered to Franklin. The linebacker-turned-safety is likely to return to Carolina in 2023, as Franklin's 67 tackles through 47 NFL games are unlikely to generate much buzz on the free agent market.
Dec 28, 2021
Clears COVID protocols
Franklin was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Franklin has mostly contributed on special teams this season, while proving extra depth at safety. Now healthy, he'll likely return to that role Sunday against the Saints.
Dec 22, 2021
Hits COVID list
The Panthers placed Franklin (undisclosed) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin is normally restricted to special-teams, so if he missed Week 16 it likely won't have a large impact on Carolina's defense. The Panthers take on Tampa Bay at home Sunday.
Dec 13, 2020
All clear fo Week 14
Franklin (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Bill Voth of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin logged full practice time Thursday and Friday despite taking the questionable tag into Sunday's game, so this is good news for the Panthers' secondary. The Temple product will see his first game action since Week 10, so it's unclear what sort of a role he'll have in the defense for Sunday's matchup.
Dec 10, 2020
All clear Thursday
Franklin (ankle) was a full participant during Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Franklin was a limited participant Wednesday, but as evidenced by this news, he appears on track for Sunday's game against the Broncos. Franklin has yet to play since Week 10 dealing with the ankle injury, so his addition in the lineup will be a boost to the defense and special teams.
Nov 29, 2020
Unavailable against Vikings
Franklin (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Vikings, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Despite practicing without limitations to start the week, Franklin is unavailable for Sunday's NFC showdown. His absence hurts Carolina's secondary depth. Myles Hartsfield appears to be the primary backup to starters Juston Burris and Tre Boston. Rookie linebacker Jeremy Chinn figures to get some work at safety in select packages, too.
Nov 25, 2020
Clear of ankle injury
Franklin (ankle) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
The 24-year-old was inactive for Sunday's win over Detroit with the ankle issue, but he had no limitations at Wednesday's practice. Franklin was seeing significant snaps before suffering the injury Week 10 and could return to that role in the secondary.
Nov 22, 2020
Out against Detroit
Franklin (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Lions, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The undrafted rookie out of Temple will miss the first game of his career. He's taken on more responsibility of late, as he started the last four games and posted 18 tackles, a sack and a pass breakup. Myles Hartsfield could see more reps in nickel packages with Franklin on the sidelines.
Nov 9, 2020
Best game as pro
Franklin finished with seven tackles (five solo) and a sack in Sunday's 33-31 loss to the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
Franklin has elevated his play since being promoted to the starting lineup in place of the injured Juston Burris (ribs). The rookie not only led the Panthers in tackles Sunday, but also recorded his first career sack. That production should help his case to keep a valuable role regardless of when Burris returns.
Oct 25, 2020
Set to start at safety
Franklin is expected to start at strong safety Sunday against the Saints because Juston Burris (ribs) is on injured reserve, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The undrafted rookie out of Temple finished last week's game after Burris departed, and he posted two solo tackles. Franklin should handle a full workload as long as he holds his own, and he could have a busy day trying to slow down Saints running back Alvin Kamara.
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