WESTFIELD — Colts middle linebacker Zaire Franklin will not be available to open training camp due to ongoing rehabilitation from offseason surgery on his left ankle.
Franklin underwent a procedure to “clean up” his ankle before the team began its offseason program in the spring, and he missed the team’s entire spring program.
The eight-year veteran has no timetable for his return.
“We’re still working,“ Franklin said. “I have been running. That’s a big thing. I don’t know if there’s necessarily a timetable on it, we just want to make sure it’s right, because as you know, this is a marathon.”
Indianapolis has not released any list of roster moves as players report to Grand Park on Tuesday, but it is possible that the team will place Franklin on the physically unable to perform list until he’s healthy enough to practice.
Franklin’s absence will put a spotlight on a linebacker position that is already thin heading into training camp. The team’s other presumptive starter at linebacker, second-year player Jaylon Carlies, had offseason surgery on his shoulder and also missed the team’s offseason workouts.
The Colts face a lot of question marks beyond those two players.
Indianapolis expects seventh-round pick Hunter Wohler to play some linebacker, likely in sub-packages, but Wohler is primarily a safety. The Colts brought in former Bengals linebacker Joe Bachie this offseason, but Bachie has been mostly a special-teamer in his career, playing just 238 defensive snaps in his first five NFL seasons. Veteran Indianapolis backup Segun Olubi started a game in place of Franklin in the past, but like Bachie, he’s mostly played special teams. Lawrence Central product Cameron McGrone has been on the roster for three seasons, but he has seen only sparing time defensively.
The rest of the linebackers on the Indianapolis roster as training camp opens are either developmental young players or veterans trying to extend their careers.
Even Carlies, a fifth-round pick a year ago, played just 224 snaps as a rookie.
Franklin, a Pro Bowler who has made 167 or more tackles in each of the last three years, is the one proven commodity on the roster.
He believes he’s on the right track.
“I’m just looking forward to when I get out there with the guys,” Franklin said. “I ain’t going to be out there the first day of school, but I’ll be turned up on the sidelines.”
Franklin has spent months rehabilitating the ankle. He spent most of the offseason in Indianapolis to work with with team trainers and doctors.
“I’m feeling a lot better,” Franklin said. “This is my first surgery since I’ve been in the league. It’s the first time I’ve even missed this many practices. It’s funny, because all the new guys in here, I was like ‘Y’all don’t even know me, I play through everything.’”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts LB Zaire Franklin provides an update on his ankle injury; will he be ready for camp?
Reporting by Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
