{"id":183270,"date":"2024-07-29T17:31:53","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T21:31:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=183270"},"modified":"2024-07-29T17:31:53","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T21:31:53","slug":"panthers-notebook-sam-franklin-jr-breaks-foot-team-ready-to-practice-in-pads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/07\/29\/panthers-notebook-sam-franklin-jr-breaks-foot-team-ready-to-practice-in-pads\/","title":{"rendered":"Panthers Notebook: Sam Franklin Jr. Breaks Foot; Team Ready to Practice In Pads"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before the\u00a0unveiling of the Carolina Panthers<\/a>\u2019 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Franklin\u2019s on-field energy will be missed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA huge hit for us,\u201d Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters following Monday\u2019s workout. \u201cHe\u2019s a fantastic, spirited guy. Really, the leader of the special teams unit and someone that we\u2019re 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Canales said. \u201cYou would hope so and with the foot, there\u2019s differing degrees. <\/span>So, I can\u2019t tell you <\/span>specifically<\/span> the degree of the fracture <\/span>and<\/span> all that.<\/span> But I <\/span>just<\/span> know <\/span>that he\u2019ll<\/span> be able to come back to us and help us.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Entering his fifth season, Franklin appeared in 64 games, collecting 97 combined tackles. His highlight last season came via a 99-yard interception return<\/a> for a touchdown versus the Minnesota Vikings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With Franklin sidelined, Canales said \u201cthis is a great opportunity for guys to step up” and serve as a special teams gunner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That includes backup cornerbacks D\u2019Shawn Jamison and Dicaprio Bootle and wide receiver Mike Boone. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo there\u2019s guys that can find a role for themselves on special teams,\u201d Canales said. \u201cAnd really, that\u2019s a great way to make the (53-man roster), to <\/span>make an impact on<\/span> these practices first. And then, of course, as we hit preseason opportunities, <\/span>to be able<\/span> to step up in that role.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.@Panthers<\/a> 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<\/a> @Keep_Pounding<\/a> #templetuff<\/a> #BaldysBreakdowns<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xccHXV6gSg<\/a><\/p>\n

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) June 21, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n