Packers waived/injured RB Johnathan Franklin. Franklin can technically spend all of 2014 on Green Bay's injured reserve list and try to get medical clearance for 2015, but his neck injury is strongly believed to be career ending. Franklin turns 25 years old this October.

Packers RB Johnathan Franklin's neck injury is career ending.

Speaking Thursday, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said second-year RB Johnathan Franklin (neck) will "not be back with us." McCarthy said the organization will have a lengthier statement on Friday. It appears Franklin will either be waived/injured or retire. The Pack notoriously have the league's most cautious medical staff, so it's unclear if it's simply the team throwing in the towel on Franklin's career, or Franklin himself. Either way, it's crushing news for a player who came out of UCLA with a considerable amount of upside last year. Franklin's status will be updated no later than Friday.

ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky reports the team is "worried" second-year RB Johnathan Franklin's neck injury may be career-threatening. Frankling suffered a concussion and injured his neck on the opening kickoff in Week 12 and still hasn't fully recovered. He has yet to participate in any football activities this spring or summer. The Packers are putting Franklin through more tests to determine whether it's safe for him to continue playing. Green Bay has always been cautious with players who suffer neck injuries. Franklin rushed for 107 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries as a fourth-round rookie. His status for the start of training camp is obviously up in the air.

Packers RB Johnathan Franklin (neck) is not participating in OTAs. Franklin is still recovering from the neck injury that ended his rookie season. Barring a setback, he's expected to be ready for training camp. Franklin should open 2014 as the No. 3 back behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks.

Packers RB Johnathan Franklin is still recovering from the neck injury that ended his rookie season. Franklin went down in Week 12, but was able to avoid surgery. Coach Mike McCarthy was evasive on Franklin's status Tuesday, which is curious, but not altogether worrisome. As of now, there's no reason to believe Franklin won't be ready for camp. Franklin is a firm third on the depth chart after the Packers re-signed James Starks.

Packers GM Ted Thompson insisted fourth-round RB Johnathan Franklin's rookie year wasn't "a disappointment at all." Franklin was placed on I.R. with a concussion on November 27 after managing just 19 carries in his first NFL season. The Packers aren't giving up on him. "He was doing a good job," insisted Thompson. "Everything as advertised. He's got a nice game. He's very balanced, quick, heady and confident." Franklin maintains plenty of Dynasty league appeal behind Eddie Lacy.

Packers placed RB Johnathan Franklin on injured reserve with a concussion, ending his season. Franklin was concussed on the opening kickoff Sunday and didn't practice all week. He had been limited to special teams since Eddie Lacy returned in Week 5 and wasn't able to overtake James Starks for backup duties this season. He'll finish his rookie campaign with just 19 carries for 107 yards and one touchdown. Franklin will be a candidate for a change-of-pace role in 2014.

Johnathan Franklin (concussion, neck) did not practice Monday. Franklin was concussed on the opening kickoff Sunday. He's not going to be cleared in time for Thursday's game and hasn't been part of the offense for weeks.

Packers RB/KR Johnathan Franklin was forced from the Week 12 game against the Vikings with a possible concussion. Franklin was banged up on the opening kickoff. He hasn't touched the ball on offense since Week 7 and wasn't in line to do so against Minnesota.