Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Tue 4/8/25 5:21 PM

The Broncos signed Franklin to a one-year contract Tuesday, Jon Heath of USA Today reports.
EDGE Analysis
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.

Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Sun 10/27/24 3:56 PM

Franklin (foot) is active for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Broncos, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
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.

Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Sat 10/26/24 2:15 PM

The Panthers activated Franklin (foot) from injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
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.

Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Fri 10/25/24 10:05 PM

Franklin (personal/foot) was a full practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos.
EDGE Analysis
Franklin broke his foot in late July, which caused him to begin the regular season on injured reserve. His 21-day window to return from IR opened Oct. 14, and while he opened this week as a DNP on Wednesday, he finished strong with consecutive full practices. By practicing without limitations over the last two days, Franklin has given himself a chance of being activated off IR ahead of Sunday's contest.

Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Wed 10/16/24 5:10 PM

Franklin (foot) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Temple product broke his foot in late July and has yet to play for the Panthers this season. However, the opening of his 21-day practice window Wednesday indicates he's nearing a return to the field. Expect Franklin to serve as a depth piece in a struggling Panthers secondary once he's activated to the team's active roster.

Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Mon 10/14/24 3:15 PM

Head coach Dave Canales told reporters Monday that Franklin (foot) has been cleared to start practicing this week, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Temple product broke his foot in late July and has yet to suit up for any of the Panthers' games this season. However, Canales' comments Monday indicate that Franklin is almost past his injury. Expect Franklin to serve as one of the Panthers' top reserve safeties once he's activated off the team's injured-reserve list.

Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Tue 8/27/24 8:26 PM

Franklin (foot) was placed on the Panthers' IR-R on Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official website reports.
EDGE Analysis
Franklin broke his foot on July 29 and has been sidelined since. He was expected to play a big role on Carolina's special-teams unit prior to the injury. It is unclear where his timeline for recovery stands, but the 28-year-old will be eligible to return Week 5 versus the Saints if his health allows it.

Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Mon 7/29/24 4:56 PM

Franklin broke his foot during Saturday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
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.

Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Wed 3/27/24 2:03 PM

The Panthers re-signed Franklin to a one-year contract Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Franklin suited up for all 17 regular-season games with Carolina last season, finishing with 30 tackles (20 solo) and three passes defended, including an interception which he returned for a 99-yard touchdown against the Vikings in Week 4. He also played 310 snaps on special teams.

Sam Franklin
S DEN (12)
Mon 1/15/24 2:40 PM

Franklin finished the regular season with 30 tackles (20 solo) and three passes defended, including a 99-yard interception returned for a touchdown, in 17 games.
EDGE Analysis
Franklin has played every game for the Panthers over the past two seasons. The highlight of his 2023 campaign was his long touchdown in Week 4, the first end-zone trip of his four-year career. Franklin will now become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.