Zaire

Franklin

“We’ll see,” were the exact words Ballard used about the possibility of Franklin remaining with the team next season. The eighth-year linebacker carries an $8.3 million cap hit next season, but his release would clear $5.8 million in cap space if the Colts opted to part ways with him. Franklin totaled 125 tackles, seven TFLs, and two sacks in 17 games last season and has spent his entire career with the Colts. He’ll be 30 at the start of next season and should have plenty of suitors on the open market if he becomes available.

The Athletic’s James Boyd reports that Franklin is still rehabbing from the left ankle surgery he underwent this offseason, but he successfully participated in 7-on-7 drills for the first time in this year’s training camp on Sunday. This is great news for the Colts’ defense. Franklin has totaled 115-plus tackles in each of the last three seasons. Last year, he banked career highs in both quarterback pressures (15) and sacks (four).

Despite that, Franklin won’t be ready to go right at the outset of camp. Still, this qualifies as great news for the linebacker as he looks to reprise a strong IDP role for the Colts in 2025. The 29-year-old linebacker had ankle surgery following the year and missed Colts OTAs and minicamp earlier in the offseason.

Steichen is “hopeful” Franklin will be available for training camp in July. The 28-year-old appeared on the Week 10 injury report with an ankle issue last season but managed to suit up for all 18 games. With the connective tissue now, hopefully, cleaned up, Franklin will attempt to record his fourth straight 100-plus-tackle season. His availability in July will tell us if he’s heading in the right direction.

Franklin missed Wednesday’s practice but was back on the field for two full practices before being removed form the report entirely. He is good to go for Week 10. Franklin leads the league in tackles (95) and has two TFLs plus an interception to his name this year.

Colts players are rarely practicing in a limited capacity these days, so Franklin going from a non-participant Wednesday to a full participant Thursday is par for the course. The talented run-defender can be safely expected to suit up in Week 10.

Franklin leads the NFL with 95 total tackles. He also has two TFLs and an interception. Franklin has been one of the few bright spots on a dreadful Colts defense this year. Losing him would be a tough blow to an already-struggling unit.

Franklin was set to enter 2024 on the final year of a three year contract, but is now under contract with the Colts through the 2027 season. Franklin totaled 179 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season, and has now tallied 160 or more tackles in each of the last two years. A staple of the Colts’ defense over the last two seasons, Franklin earned a PFF grade of 60.9 for his efforts in 2023.

Franklin missed Week 9 with the knee issue but is back in the lineup for Week 10. Inactive for the Colts are G Jack Anderson, CB JuJu Brents, G Arlington Hambright, LB Cameron McGrone, and TE Drew Ogletree.

Franklin was upgraded to a full participant in practice to close the week, so we fully expect him to play on Sunday barring a setback between now and kickoff. Franklin leads the Colts in tackles and is pacing the entire league in solo tackles. He has 1.5 sacks and two TFLs this season.