Tag: Zaire Franklin

Colts’ Zaire Franklin downgraded to doubtful vs. Panthers

Zaire Franklin will miss the first game of his career.

Indianapolis Colts LB Zaire Franklin was downgraded from questionable to doubtful ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Saturday.

Franklin didn’t practice all week due to a knee injury he picked up during the Week 8 loss against the New Orleans Saints. Even though he didn’t practice all week, he was still listed as questionable on the final injury report.

However, the team announced that Franklin is unlikely to play, which means he will be missing the first game of his career.

Entering Week 9, Franklin is the NFL’s leader in total tackles (102) and solo tackles (64). He’s also added three passes defensed, 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss.

It will be interesting to see how the Colts replace Franklin at the MIKE position. They could slide Shaquille Leonard over and insert E.J. Speed at the WILL or simply replace Franklin with Speed.

Either way, the Colts will be down a key piece to their defense when they visit the Panthers on Sunday in Charlotte.

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Colts vs. Panthers: Final injury report for Week 9

Here’s the final injury report for both teams in Week 9.

The Indianapolis Colts (3-5) and Carolina Panthers (1-6) released their final injury reports Friday ahead of the Week 9 matchup at Bank of America Stadium.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Colts in Week 9:

*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*

Notes

  • As expected, the Colts will be without CB Julius Brents and RT Braden Smith.
  • The replacement for Smith at right tackle, rookie Blake Freeland, also is questionable after not practicing the final two days of the week. He’s considered a game-time decision.
  • LB Zaire Franklin is considered a game-time decision despite not practicing all week.
  • WR Josh Downs was able to practice after picking up a knee injury during Thursday’s practice, which is encouraging.
  • S Rodney Thomas II was added to the injury report Friday.

Here’s a look at the final injury report for the Panthers in Week 9:

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Colts rule out two players vs. Panthers in Week 9

Two players were ruled out for Week 9.

The Indianapolis Colts ruled out right tackle Braden Smith and cornerback Julius Brents ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, according to head coach Shane Steichen on Friday.

It’s no surprise that both of those players were ruled out considering they didn’t log a single practice. This will be Brents’ second consecutive missed game due to a quad injury he suffered in Week 7.

Meanwhile, Smith will miss his fourth consecutive game due to hip and wrist injuries.

As it pertains to linebacker Zaire Franklin, who is dealing with a knee injury, he is considered a game-time decision.

Smith’s expected replacement, rookie Blake Freeland, is also a game-time decision after suffering a back injury during practice this week. It isn’t clear who would start right tackle if both Smith and Freeland are out, but there’s a chance it would be Arlington Hambright.

Tight end Kylen Granson cleared the concussion protocol so he will be expected to play.

The Colts will release their final injury report with designations later Friday so that will give us a better idea of what the injury situation looks like.

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Colts vs. Panthers: Initial injury report for Week 9

Here’s the Wednesday injury report for the Colts and Panthers.

The Indianapolis Colts (3-5) and Carolina Panthers (1-6) released their initial injury reports Wednesday ahead of the Week 9 matchup at Bank of America Stadium.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Colts in Week 9:

*DNP = Did Not Participate — LP = Limited Participant — FP = Full Participant*

Notes

  • CB Julius Brents is not expected to practice this week and is likely to miss his second consecutive game.
  • LB Zaire Franklin picked up a knee injury during the Week 8 loss. He exited briefly before returning and finishing the game. DE Dayo Odeyingbo is also a new addition to the injury report compared to last week.
  • RT Braden Smith still has not practiced since suffering a hip injury during Thursday’s practice in Week 6. His status is still up in the air for this week.
  • TE Kylen Granson appears ready to return after missing the last two games. The same goes for DT Eric Johnson II, who was inactive in Week 8.

Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Panthers in Week 9:

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5 Colts players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in Week 6

Here are five Colts players to watch in their Week 6 rematch against the Jaguars:

The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Indianapolis Colts Week 1, and they are set for a rematch this week.

While the Jaguars won in the first meeting, the Colts will look different from the Week 1 team that lost at home. Injuries resulted in players missing the first meeting, and the same will be the case in Week 6. The most notable absence for Indianapolis is quarterback Anthony Richardson, who landed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Here are five Colts players to watch in their second game against the Jaguars in Week 6:

Colts’ Zaire Franklin suffers back injury vs. Rams

Zaire Franklin suffered a back injury against the Rams.

UPDATE: Zaire Franklin returned to the game in the fourth quarter.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin suffered a back injury Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams and is questionable to return.

Franklin suffered the injury late in the third quarter on a run play in which he came up slowly with clear pain in his back. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, albeit, gingerly.

Before his injury, Franklin recorded six tackles (four solo). He was replaced by E.J. Speed.

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Colts PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 1 loss to Jaguars

Here’s a look at the best and worst PFF grades for the Colts in Week 1.

The Indianapolis Colts (0-1) failed to pull off the home upset against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) at Lucas Oil Stadium, extending their Week 1 winless streak to 10 consecutive seasons.

Despite the loss, it was a relatively encouraging outing from the Colts. They stayed competitive throughout the game and even hung tough amid several lead changes during the second half. The defense showed plenty of fight while rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson didn’t look overwhelmed at all in his debut.

Here are some of the highest and lowest PPF grades for the Colts from the Week 1 loss, as well as a few other notable grades thrown in:

Colts’ Zaire Franklin receives drug test after stellar Week 1 performance

Like clockwork, Zaire Franklin received a drug test from the NFL after his stellar performance in Week 1.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin began his season with a stellar performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, enough for the league to take specific notice.

Following the Week 1 loss in which Franklin led the team with 18 tackles (10 solo), he received a random drug test from the league office.

Franklin is hardly the first player to receive a “random” drug test from the NFL after a strong performance. In fact, it happens nearly every week.

The former seventh-round pick picked up right where he left off the 2022 campaign when he broke the franchise record for tackles in a single season. He was flying around the field leading the defense as the MIKE on Sunday, making impact plays both against the run and in coverage.

According to Pro Football Focus, Franklin was credited with seven total defensive stops, which was a team-high and the third-highest among all NFL defenders in Week 1.

As the Colts enter their second season under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, they certainly have a core piece emerging in the form of Franklin.

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Colts’ player of the game vs. Jaguars: LB Zaire Franklin

Zaire Franklin was all over the field in the opener.

The Indianapolis Colts (0-1) couldn’t pull off the upset Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0), but there were plenty of encouraging performances.

One that may stand above all others came from linebacker Zaire Franklin, who led the way with 18 tackles (10 solo), one pass defended and a forced fumble that resulted in a touchdown.

Franklin was all over the field throughout the game, showing off some solid coverage skills and making a major impact against the run. After a career year, it seems Franklin is picking up right where he left off.

The Colts defense will continue to ride the front seven as the strength of the unit, and Franklin remains a major constant impact player.

Studs and duds from Colts’ loss to Jaguars

Here are the studs and duds from the Colts’ loss in Week 1 to the Jaguars.

The Indianapolis Colts kicked off their season with a 31-21 loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Overall, it was a solid effort from the Colts, who hung tough for the majority of the game before a few mistakes in the fourth quarter led to the Jaguars sealing the win.

Here are some studs and duds from the game: