Tag: Sam Franklin Jr.

Carolina Panthers 2025 free agents

With the 2024 regular season now over, let’s take a look at the Panthers’ upcoming free agents:

The Carolina Panthers wrapped up their 2024 campaign with a 48-38 win, walking off the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 18.

But which players might have taken their final snap with the Panthers on Sunday?

As we enter Carolina’s offseason, here are the team’s 2025 free agents:

  • QB Andy Dalton
  • RB Raheem Blackshear (RFA)
  • RB Mike Boone
  • RB Velus Jones Jr. (RFA)
  • WR David Moore
  • WR Deven Thompkins
  • WR Dan Chisena (RFA)
  • TE Tommy Tremble
  • TE Ian Thomas
  • TE Feleipe Franks (RFA)
  • TE Stephen Sullivan
  • OL Brady Christensen
  • OL Cade Mays (RFA)
  • C Austin Corbett
  • DL LaBryan Ray (ERFA)
  • DL DeShawn Williams
  • DL Raequan Williams (ERFA)
  • OLB Cam Gill
  • ILB Shaq Thompson
  • ILB Chandler Wooten (RFA)
  • CB Mike Jackson
  • CB Caleb Farley
  • CB Lonnie Johnson Jr.
  • S Xavier Woods
  • S Jordan Fuller
  • S Sam Franklin Jr.
  • S Nick Scott
  • K Eddy Piñeiro
  • P Johnny Hekker
  • LS JJ Jansen

*RFA = Restricted free agent
*ERFA = Exclusive rights free agent

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Panthers S Sam Franklin Jr. apologizes for heated post-game altercation with Buccaneers players

Panthers S Sam Franklin apologized for his actions after Sunday’s loss to the Bucs.

Carolina Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr. is taking accountability for his post-game actions from Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The aftermath of the 26-23 overtime defeat saw Franklin Jr., while being restrained, shouting towards the visitors’ locker room in the tunnel of Bank of America Stadium. This was the scene:

Franklin Jr., who spoke with reporters for the first time since the incident this afternoon, issued an apology for the incident:

This echoed the thoughts of head coach Dave Canales, who was asked about the altercation on Monday.

“Just know that we talked about it,” Canales replied. “He and I sat down this morning and just had that conversation. He’ll be the first to tell you that he shouldn’t do that, that it was a mistake.

“And we talked about just wanting to have passion, wanting to have edge and knowing where to tow that edge. And then come back to us, celebrate with us, talk to our teammates, keep our energy going on our side. We don’t have to give the opponent anything and that’s one of those things, too.”

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Panthers HC Dave Canales says he spoke to Sam Franklin about heated altercation with Buccaneers players

Panthers HC Dave Canales on Sam Franklin Jr.’s heated altercation after loss to Bucs: He’ll be the first to tell you that he shouldn’t do that, that it was a mistake.”

If you ask Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales, safety Sam Franklin Jr. may have had a little too much juice in Week 13.

Yesterday’s heartbreaking overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was followed by another battle, one that took place in the tunnel near the visitors’ locker room at Bank of America Stadium. Franklin was seen shouting towards Buccaneers players while being restrained by a team staffer:

Canales was asked about the incident on Monday.

“Just know that we talked about it,” he replied. “He and I sat down this morning and just had that conversation. He’ll be the first to tell you that he shouldn’t do that, that it was a mistake.

“And we talked about just wanting to have passion, wanting to have edge and knowing where to tow that edge. And then come back to us, celebrate with us, talk to our teammates, keep our energy going on our side. We don’t have to give the opponent anything and that’s one of those things, too.”

Unfortunately for the Panthers and Franklin, they gave the Bucs the win (and some energy) on Sunday.

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Panthers S Sam Franklin Jr. restrained from Buccaneers players in heated scene after Week 13 loss

Things got heated in the tunnel following the Panthers’ Week 13 loss to the Buccaneers.

It seemed as though the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed more than just overtime to settle their score.

Sunday evening saw the visiting Buccaneers pull off a walk-off 26-23 win over the host Panthers. But the Week 13 showdown extended well beyond the field, as Carolina safety Sam Franklin Jr. was captured in a heated exchange in the tunnel after the game . . .

No. 33 for the Bucs is outside linebacker Jose Ramirez. Sunday marked the third NFL game for Ramirez, a sixth round pick from the 2023 draft.

Then, this happened . . .

The reasoning behind the wild scene is not yet clear . . . at least to those who were not involved.

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Carolina Panthers players who are free agents in 2025

With the trade deadline now behind us, let’s take a look at the Panthers who are set to become free agents following the 2024 season:

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The 2024 NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and it didn’t go without a few moves from the Carolina Panthers.

Last week, the team shipped off wideout Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens in a trade involving a late-round pick swap for the 2025 draft. And yesterday, in a much more favorable return, they sent fellow receiver Jonathan Mingo over to the Dallas Cowboys.

So now that those departures are official, we could start looking ahead towards free agency for quite a few more.

Here are Panthers whose contracts are set to expire following the season:

  • QB Andy Dalton
  • RB Chuba Hubbard (Signed four-year extension)
  • RB Raheem Blackshear (RFA)
  • WR David Moore
  • WR Jalen Coker (ERFA)
  • TE Tommy Tremble
  • TE Ian Thomas
  • TE Feleipe Franks (RFA)
  • OL Brady Christensen
  • OL Cade Mays
  • C Austin Corbett
  • DL LaBryan Ray
  • DL DeShawn Williams
  • DL Jonathan Harris
  • DL Raequan Williams (ERFA)
  • OLB Charles Harris
  • OLB Thomas Incoom
  • OLB Cam Gill
  • ILB Shaq Thompson
  • CB Mike Jackson
  • CB Lonnie Johnson Jr.
  • CB Anthony Brown
  • S Xavier Woods
  • S Jordan Fuller
  • S Sam Franklin Jr.
  • S Nick Scott
  • S Demani Richardson (ERFA)
  • K Eddy Piñeiro
  • P Johnny Hekker
  • LS JJ Jansen

*RFA = Restricted free agent
*ERFA = Exclusive rights free agent

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Panthers CB Jaycee Horn, Broncos HC Sean Payton get into confrontation after Week 8 loss

Jaycee Horn didn’t take too kindly to Sean Payton’s tricks on Sunday.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn didn’t get much of a taste of former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton while he was still in the NFC South. But he did on Sunday, and it seemed to be a pretty sour one.

Now in his second year heading the Denver Broncos, Payton was up to his ol’ cheeky ways in Week 8—as he dialed up a pair of trick plays while up by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

The first came on a fake field goal with 10:10 left in the game, as the Broncos tried for a first down on a redirected pass from punter/place holder Riley Dixon to tight end Lucas Krull. Their attempt fell five yards short.

The second, with 4:29 remaining, came on a double pass with Denver facing a fourth-and-2. Quarterback Bo Nix found wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who then found fullback Michael Burton for a 28-yard gain.

Horn, apparently, didn’t take too kindly to the decisions . . .

Payton said the following of the confrontation afterwards:

The Panthers allowed 400 total yards to the Broncos in the 28-14 defeat. They’ve also relinquished 271 points this season, tied for the fourth-most through eight games in the Super Bowl era.

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Panthers announce 5 roster moves ahead of Week 8 matchup vs. Broncos

The Panthers shuffled their safeties and called up a former first-rounder ahead of tomorrow’s game against the Broncos.

The Carolina Panthers shuffled some of their safeties ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

As announced on Saturday afternoon, the team placed Nick Scott on injured reserve. Scott, who sustained a hamstring injury in last Sunday’s loss to the Washington Commanders, has appeared in all seven of Carolina’s games this season—amassing 28 combined tackles and two passes defensed with four starts.

To make up for the loss, the Panthers activated team captain and special teams ace Sam Franklin Jr. from injured reserve. Franklin Jr. has yet to debut in 2024 after breaking his foot back in training camp.

Carolina also signed safety Russ Yeast from their practice squad to the active roster.

Yeast will be joined from the practice squad by rookie quarterback Jack Plummer and cornerback Caleb Farley, who have been elevated to the roster for Sunday’s contest. Plummer will provide some depth behind starter Bryce Young and backup Andy Dalton, who has been listed as doubtful with a right thumb sprain.

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Panthers Week 8 injury report: Top 2 WRs ruled out vs. Broncos

The Panthers won’t have WRs Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen for Sunday’s matchup in Denver.

Bryce Young will have to make do without the Carolina Panthers’ top two pass catchers in his return under center.

The team has ruled out wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen from Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Johnson (ribs) leads the Panthers in targets (58), receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three) while Thielen—last year’s leading receiver—is still working his way back from a hamstring injury.

Carolina will also be without outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quad) and safeties Jordan Fuller (hamstring), Nick Scott (hamstring) and Jammie Robinson (knee).

Here’s the full injury report from Friday:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP DNP DNP Doubtful
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP DNP Limited Doubtful
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP DNP DNP Out
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited Limited Questionable
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited Limited Limited Doubtful
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Out
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited Limited Limited Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited Limited Limited Questionable
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited Limited Limited Questionable
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited Full Full –
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited Limited Full –
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited DNP Out
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited Limited Full Questionable
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited DNP Limited Out
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited Full Full Questionable
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full Full Questionable
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP Full Full Questionable
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited DNP DNP Out
RB Raheem Blackshear Shoulder Full Full Full –
K Eddy Piñeiro Personal DNP DNP –

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Panthers WR Diontae Johnson misses 2nd straight practice on Thursday

Panthers WR Diontae Johnson has now missed two practices in a row due to a rib injury.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young may not have his offense’s top target in his return under center on Sunday.

Wideout Diontae Johnson did not participate in Thursday’s practice due to a rib injury. The sixth-year receiver was also held out of Wednesday’s session.

Johnson currently leads the Panthers in targets (58), receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three).

Here’s the team’s full injury report for Thursday . . .

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP DNP
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP DNP
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP DNP
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP DNP
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited Limited
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited Limited
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited Limited
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited Limited
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited Limited
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited Limited
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited Full
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited Limited
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited Limited
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited DNP
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited Full
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP Full
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited DNP
RB Raheem Blackshear Shoulder Full Full
K Eddy Piñeiro Personal DNP

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Panthers QB Bryce Young named starter for Week 8 matchup vs. Broncos

With Andy Dalton dealing with a right thumb injury, the Panthers will hand the reins back over to Bryce Young in Week 8.

The Carolina Panthers will, once again, look a little different under center.

On Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales announced that second-year quarterback Bryce Young is set to start in the team’s Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The second shot for the 2023 No. 1 overall pick comes as a result of a right thumb injury to veteran Andy Dalton, who was involved in a minor car accident on Tuesday.

Young was benched following a disappointing start to his sophomore campaign. He passed for just 250 yards and three interceptions over a pair of losses.

Here, headlined by Dalton, is Wednesday’s full injury report:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited

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