Franklin (left ankle) did not play in Saturday's preseason loss to the Packers.
Franklin has been easing back into action in training camp as he continues to recover from an offseason ankle injury. He's unlikely to play in the preseason but is thought to be on track for the start of the regular season. 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: 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: Monster performance in Week 17
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Franklin recorded 14 total tackles (seven solo), including four tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in Sunday's 45-33 loss to the Giants.
Franklin was one of the few bright spots on Indianapolis' defense in Sunday's loss, leading the team with 14 total tackles. The Syracuse product has now recorded 10 or more stops in eight of his 16 appearances, accumulating 165 total tackles this season, the best mark in the NFL. Expect Franklin to continue serving as one of the Colts' defensive leaders and top tacklers in the Week 18 matchup against the Jaguars.
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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.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Posts big tackle total Week 14
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Franklin racked up 14 tackles (six solo), including one for loss, in Sunday's loss to Cincinnati.
Franklin led the Colts in stops in the contest with his ninth double-digit tackle effort of the campaign. The linebacker has been on a bit of a downswing with 13 stops over his previous two games combined, but he bounced back in a big way against the Browns. Franklin leads the NFL with 144 total tackles this season.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Good to go Sunday
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Franklin (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Franklin -- who sat out last week's win over Carolina -- had been listed as questionable heading into Sunday, after the knee injury kept him from practicing Wednesday before he upgraded to limited activity Thursday and then full participation Friday. Based on how he was able to finish the week of practice, Franklin isn't expected to face any restrictions Sunday. He should once again shape up as an elite IDP option after tallying double-digit tackles in all but one of his first eight appearances of the season.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Trending in wrong direction
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Franklin (knee) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
Franklin didn't practice all week, so Saturday's injury designation change likely isn't a good omen. The NFL's leading tackler thus appears unlikely to suit up Sunday, meaning E.J. Speed and Shaquille Leonard could be primed for more opportunities.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Listed as questionable for Week 9
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Franklin (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers.
Franklin missed practice all week, so he sounds like a true game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 1 PM ET kickoff. Franklin leads the NFL in tackles with 102 and also paces the league with his 64 solo takedowns. He's played 98 percent of Indy's defensive snaps. Franklin would be sorely missed if he's unable to go against Carolina.
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Colts' Zaire Franklin: Misses practice Wednesday
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Franklin (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Franklin exited Sunday's game with the knee injury, but returned to the game and finished with 14 tackles (six solo). He's up to 102 tackles on the season and is the first player in the league to reach 100-plus tackles on the year. His practice participation over the rest of the week will indicate his availability for Week 9 against the Panthers.
