SAM FRANKLIN JR. NEWS

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.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Removed from IR The Panthers activated Franklin (foot) from injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Struggling Panthers rule out 6 players for Sunday's game at Washington, 3 others listed as doubtful

The Carolina Panthers are on a three-game losing streak and they have a growing list of injuries to deal with entering Sunday’s game at Washington

OCTOBER 18 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Officially designated to return Franklin (foot) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Franklin Jr. brings the energy as he finally returns to the practice field Watch the Panthers special teams ace express his enthusiasm about returning to the practice field in Week 7.

OCTOBER 16 • PANTHERS.COM

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.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IR Franklin (foot) was placed on the Panthers' injured reserve list Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IR-R Franklin (foot) was placed on the Panthers' IR-R on Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Breaks foot Franklin broke his foot during Saturday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact 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.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers special teams standout Sam Franklin out with broken foot; could return later this season

The Carolina Panthers will be without special teams standout Sam Franklin for the foreseeable future after he broke his foot in Saturday’s practice, according to coach Dave Canales

JULY 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

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.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers' Sam Franklin: From goat to social media star in one week and ... 99 yards Known mostly for his special teams play, Sam Franklin stepped up Sunday at safety and turned in the Panthers' play of the game.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Locker Room Sound: Sam Franklin Jr. Sam Franklin Jr. talks about the Vikings game and his franchise record-breaking interception return.

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • PANTHERS.COM

Must-See: Another angle of Sam Franklin Jr's pick 6 Watch Sam Franklin Jr. run to the end zone with a great block by D'Shawn Jamison against the Vikings.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • PANTHERS.COM

Can't-Miss Play: 99-yard TD! Sam Franklin Jr. goes length of field for pick-six Carolina Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr. goes length of field for the 99-yard pick-six on his first career INT as he reads Kirk Cousins lik...

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • NFL.COM

Must-See: Sam Franklin Jr.'s 99-yard interception return Watch Sam Franklin's electric interception return.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • PANTHERS.COM

Sam Franklin Jr. 'Has a Knack for Making Plays' Can the special teams stud find a role in the secondary?

AUGUST 15, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

The Most Underrated Player on the Panthers' Roster Is... Sam Franklin Jr. doesn’t get the respect he deserves.

JUNE 24, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Panthers Place Tender on Safety Sam Franklin Carolina keeps a key special teamer.

MARCH 14, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Tendered by Panthers Franklin received the minimum restricted free-agent tender from the Panthers on Monday, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Best of Sam Franklin Jr. in 2022 Sam Franklin Jr. led the team with 13 special teams tackles in 2022, the most by a Panthers player since 2012.

MARCH 13, 2023 • PANTHERS.COM

Clears COVID protocols Franklin was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hits COVID list The Panthers placed Franklin (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE