Before the unveiling of the Carolina Panthers’ new practice facility last Wednesday, Sam Frankin Jr., with music thumping from the speakers, made a point to dance to each position group and provide a moment of levity leading up to the official start of training camp.
Franklin’s on-field energy will be missed.
With the Panthers preparing for their first padded practice Tuesday, the rebuilding NFL team was hit with its first serious training camp injury. During the Back Together Saturday workout inside Bank of America Stadium, Franklin, a special teams sparkplug, suffered a broken foot.
“A huge hit for us,” Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters following Monday’s workout. “He’s a fantastic, spirited guy. Really, the leader of the special teams unit and someone that we’re really gonna count on. So we gotta make sure we hit this rehab the right way and Sam will come back to us at the right time. So praying for him and pulling for him.”
Franklin, who also serves as a backup safety, will start the upcoming season on injured reserve, but Canales suggested he could return at some point.
“Yes,” Canales said. “You would hope so and with the foot, there’s differing degrees. So, I can’t tell you specifically the degree of the fracture and all that. But I just know that he’ll be able to come back to us and help us.”
Entering his fifth season, Franklin appeared in 64 games, collecting 97 combined tackles. His highlight last season came via a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown versus the Minnesota Vikings.
With Franklin sidelined, Canales said “this is a great opportunity for guys to step up” and serve as a special teams gunner.
That includes backup cornerbacks D’Shawn Jamison and Dicaprio Bootle and wide receiver Mike Boone.
“So there’s guys that can find a role for themselves on special teams,” Canales said. “And really, that’s a great way to make the (53-man roster), to make an impact on these practices first. And then, of course, as we hit preseason opportunities, to be able to step up in that role.”
.@Panthers Sam Franklin jr is the best special teamer I watched covering punts & kicks all season. Something special at being the very best at what you do @Temple_FB @Keep_Pounding #templetuff #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/xccHXV6gSg
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) June 21, 2023
Panthers Ready To Break Out Pads
Following an offseason and four training camp practices without pads, the Panthers will finally get a chance to show off their physicality. The players will go in full pads Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C., and Thursday during Fan Fest at Clemson University.
“So we’ll get to bang tomorrow,” Canales said. “So we’re really just looking forward to people coming out and bringing that energy for that particular practice (in Clemson) too because it’s just another opportunity for us to crank it up and to really make each other better.”
Canales plans to utilize Thursday’s practice as an intrasquad scrimmage.
“We’ll have two padded practices within about three days there,” Canales said. “So that’ll be a good physical challenge for the guys, to get that first padded day and then follow it up pretty quickly with another one. It is great for them to have to challenge themselves with the soreness. You know, can I stay focused? Can I execute my assignment? Knowing my body is really starting to feel the challenge and the rigors of camp. So, looking forward to that.”
The coach may be looking forward to it, but how many players are looking forward to the 3-hour bus ride to Clemson, S.C.?
Saturday’s top moment: @Panthers DL Derrick Brown learned the @NFL team will bus 3 hours to Clemson for Thursday’s Fan Fest … pic.twitter.com/01Czul459C
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) July 28, 2024
Main Photo: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
