Colts' Zaire Franklin: Team-high 10 tackles in OT win
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Franklin tallied 10 tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, during the Colts' 31-25 overtime win over the Falcons on Sunday.
Franklin saved his biggest play of Sunday's game for last after sacking Michael Penix for a 12-yard loss in overtime, which forced the Falcons to punt on the next play. Franklin led the NFL with 173 combined tackles in 2024, but Sunday marked just the first time this season that the veteran linebacker tallied double-digit stops. The eight-year pro is up to 60 tackles (31 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and four pass defenses through 10 regular-season games.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Disappointing season continues
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Franklin recorded two tackles (zero solo) in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.
Franklin was among many of the Colts' defensive starters to see their snap rate cut due to the game script. He logged a season low in tackles as a result. While this result was largely out of his control, Franklin has been among the most disappointing IDP options around the league halfway through the campaign.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Secures sack in win
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Franklin recorded seven total tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 40-6 win over Las Vegas.
Franklin reached seven takedowns for the second straight game, including a sack of Geno Smith in the fourth quarter. The linebacker is now up to 29 total tackles (13 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also notching three passes defensed over five games this season.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Full participant in practice
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Franklin (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Franklin opened the week as a DNP due to an ankle injury that he likely sustained during the Colts' Week 4 loss to the Rams. However, his ability to practice in full Thursday indicates that he is well on track to play in Sunday's home bout against the Raiders. Franklin has logged 22 tackles (10 solo) and three pass defenses through the first four games of the regular season.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Misses practice Wednesday
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Franklin (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.
Franklin dealt with an ankle issue during the preseason but had yet to make an appearance on the injury report during the regular season. Franklin played all 75 defensive snaps in last Sunday's loss to the Rams, so it's unclear when he suffered the latest injury. The veteran linebacker has 22 tackles (10 solo) and three pass breakups through four contests.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Four tackles in victory
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Franklin recorded four total tackles (two solo) in Sunday's 33-8 win over Miami.
Franklin wasn't especially busy in a dominant Week 1 showing for Indianapolis, recording his lowest tackle total since Week 18 of the 2021 season. The linebacker typically finishes in the double-digits in that category, and he'll likely be more involved in Week 2 against the Broncos.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Healthy for Week 1
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Franklin (ankle) did not appear on the Colts' injury report Wednesday.
Franklin was nursing a left ankle injury during the preseason, but he is now fully healthy ahead of the regular season. The 29-year-old will be back in his starting role at middle linebacker against Miami on Sunday.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Makes training camp debut
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Franklin (ankle) was a limited participant in Saturday's training camp practice, Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star reports.
Saturday was Franklin's first appearance at training camp as he continues to recover from offseason ankle injury. He was limited to positional drills and did not participate in team activities, but it's a step in the right direction for the veteran linebacker. Franklin played in all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 173 tackles (93 solo), including a career-high 3.5 sacks, six pass defenses (two interceptions) and five forced fumbles.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Won't be ready for start of camp
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Franklin (ankle) will not be ready for the start of training camp, Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star reports.
Franklin underwent a clean-up procedure on his left ankle earlier in the offseason and isn't quite ready to practice. He's been running, but there isn't a clear timetable for his return to full strength. Franklin started all 17 regular-season contests last season, registering an NFL-high 173 tackles (93 solo), including a career-best 3.5 sacks, six pass breakups, including a pair of interceptions, and five forced fumbles. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was named a second-team All-Pro. Franklin also received Defensive Player of the Year votes.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Totals seven stops in Week 16 win
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Franklin finished with seven tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 38-30 win against Tennessee.
Franklin's tackle total was second-highest on Indianapolis behind Jaylon Carlies' 10. Sunday's performance marked the 14th time in Franklin's 15 contests that he's reached at least seven stops. The veteran linebacker leads the NFL with 151 tackles on the season.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Posts huge numbers in win
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Franklin recorded 12 tackles (10 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble during Sunday's 25-24 win at New England.
Franklin managed a double-digit tackle total for his seventh game this season in Week 13, and he registered in the sack column for his second straight contest. He still leads the league in tackles by a comfortable margin and profiles as an elite IDP option for the fantasy playoffs after the Colts' bye in Week 14.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Another 100-tackle season
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Franklin recorded nine tackles (five solo) and a pass breakup in Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Bills.
Franklin currently leads the league with 105 tackles (54 solo) through 10 games, marking his third straight season with 100-plus stops. The 28-year-old is a surefire fantasy starter that hasn't missed a snap this season.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Back at practice Thursday
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Franklin (ankle) participated at practice Thursday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Franklin missed practice Wednesday after playing 100 percent of Indianapolis' defensive snaps in Week 9, but he's now a step closer to potentially suiting up again in Week 10. If he can practice in full Friday, he could avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Logs DNP on Wednesday
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Franklin (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.
The NFL's leading tackler played 100 percent of the Colts' defensive snaps in their Week 9 loss to the Vikings, but it now appears he picked up an ankle injury in the process. Franklin will likely need to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to suit up for Indianapolis' Week 10 matchup against the Bills.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Picks off pass in loss
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Franklin recorded eight tackles (six solo) and an interception in Sunday's 21-13 loss to the Vikings.
The middle linebacker also played on every defensive snap for the ninth time in as many games this season. Franklin leads the league with 95 tackles (48 solo) in 2024.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Colts' leading tackler in loss
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Franklin recorded 11 tackles (seven solo) during Sunday's 23-20 loss at Houston.
Franklin managed double digits in the tackle department for the fifth time this season in Week 8. His 87 tackles through eight games are more than any other player in the league, and he'll be looking to hold onto those bragging rights in Week 9 at Minnesota.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Compiles 16 tackles in win
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Franklin recorded 16 total tackles (five solo) and a forced fumble in Sunday's 16-10 win over the Dolphins.
Franklin was able to compile a season-high 16 stops while also stripping fullback Alec Ingold in the third quarter, which was recovered by teammate Taven Bryan. Through seven games in 2024, Franklin has now produced 76 total tackles (35 solo), two forced fumbles and a pass defensed.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Stacks up nine tackles
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Franklin recorded nine tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Titans.
Franklin is now tied with teammate E.J. Speed for the third-most tackles in the league at 60. He's an every-week starter in IDP formats, and he should be a strong option in Week 7 versus the Dolphins, who need to stick to the run game without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion).
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Cleared on injury report
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Franklin (illness) was a full participant during practice Thursday.
Franklin logged a DNP on Wednesday as he worked to recover from an illness. With his ability to log a full practice Thursday, he should be all good to go Sunday against the Jaguars.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Double-digit stops in loss
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Franklin recorded 10 total tackles (five solo) and a forced fumble in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Packers.
Franklin was able to cross the double-digit tackles threshold for the first time this season after doing so 11 times in 16 contests last year. Additionally, he punched the ball out as Packers' running back Josh Jacobs was on the verge of scoring a touchdown in the second quarter, which was ultimately recovered by his Franklin's teammate Laiatu Latu. Through two games in 2024, Franklin has registered 18 total tackles (nine solo) as the team's starting middle linebacker.
