The NFL reduced Franklin's discipline from a one-game suspension to a fine of $14,926, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Franklin was disciplined by the league for allegedly spitting at an opponent late in the fourth quarter of the Bills' Week 6 win over the Raiders. The decision has been altered to a fine, and with the Bills on a bye, the Temple product will be available for Week 8 against the Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 1.
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Bills' Sam Franklin: Suspended for one game
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The NFL announced Wednesday that Franklin has received a one-game suspension without pay due to an act of unsportsmanlike conduct during the Bills' 33-30 win over the Raiders on Sunday.
The suspension stems from Franklin allegedly spitting at an opponent late in the fourth quarter during a successful extra-point attempt by the Raiders. The veteran defensive back has denied the allegation by the league and will appeal the ruling, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Franklin has played solely on special teams this season, but with C.J. Gardner-Johnson also handed a one-game suspension, the Bills' secondary could be thin for their Week 8 game against the Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 1.
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Bills' Sam Franklin: Signs with Buffalo
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The Bills signed Franklin on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Franklin lands on his feet quickly after he was released by the Broncos earlier Tuesday. The veteran safety appeared in 74 regular-season contests in Carolina over the previous five seasons. He recorded 105 tackles (74 solo), including 1.0 sacks, five pass breakups, including one interception, and one forced fumble in that span. Franklin will handle reserve safety duties while contributing on special teams in Buffalo.
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Sam Franklin: Released by Denver
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The Broncos released Franklin on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Franklin inked a one-year deal with Denver back in April after spending the first five seasons of his career in Carolina. Franklin is a reserve safety and special teams contributor.
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Broncos' Sam Franklin: Signs one-year deal in Denver
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The Broncos signed Franklin to a one-year contract Tuesday, Jon Heath of USA Today reports.
Franklin, who spent the first five years of his NFL career in Carolina, suited up for 10 regular-season games with the Panthers in 2024. He played 236 snaps on special teams and just four snaps on defense in that span. Now, the 29-year-old safety will compete for a similar role in Denver.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Will make season debut Sunday
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Franklin (foot) is active for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Broncos, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Removed from IR
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The Panthers activated Franklin (foot) from injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Breaks foot
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Franklin broke his foot during Saturday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
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.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Returns to Carolina
Rotowire
The Panthers re-signed Franklin to a one-year contract Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Franklin suited up for all 17 regular-season games with Carolina last season, finishing with 30 tackles (20 solo) and three passes defensed, including an interception which he returned for a 99-yard touchdown in Week 4 against the Vikings. He also played 310 snaps on special teams.
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Panthers' Sam Franklin: Takes advantage of start
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Franklin recorded four tackles (two solo) and returned an interception for a touchdown in Sunday's 21-13 loss to the Vikings.
Franklin received the start at free safety with Xavier Woods (hamstring) unable to play and took advantage of the opportunity. With the Vikings on the doorstep, the Temple product was able to pick off a pass intended for K.J. Osborn at the one-yard line and take it 99 yards for the first score of the game. It was the 27-year-old's first interception of his career, as well as his first touchdown. With Woods still ailing and potentially facing a multi-week absence, Franklin may get the start again in Week 5 against the Lions.
