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Top Sam Franklin News
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Lands on IR
Franklin (foot) was placed on the Panthers' injured reserve list Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Breaks foot
Franklin broke his foot during Saturday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Returns to Carolina
The Panthers re-signed Franklin to a one-year contract Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Franklin suited up for all 17 regular-season games with Carolina last season, finishing with 30 tackles (20 solo) and three passes defensed, including an interception which he returned for a 99-yard touchdown in Week 4 against the Vikings. He also played 310 snaps on special teams.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: 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.
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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Good to go Sunday
Franklin (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: 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.
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 returned for a touchdown. He'll start at strong safety next to Xavier Woods.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: 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.
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 one-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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Expected to start
Franklin should start Sunday against the Vikings, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Staying in Carolina
Franklin signed a one-year deal with the Panthers on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
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. After going undrafted in 2020, he played primarily on special teams last season and logged 20 tackles (15 solo) in 17 games. Franklin should have a similar role and contribute on special teams during the 2023 campaign.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Tendered by Panthers
Franklin received the minimum restricted free-agent tender from the Panthers on Monday, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.
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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Clears COVID protocols
Franklin was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
Franklin has mostly contributed on special teams this season, while providing extra depth at safety. Now healthy, he'll likely return to that role Sunday against the Saints.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 210 lbs |
| Birthplace: Inverness, FL |
| Age: 28 |
| School: Temple |
| Experience: 5 |