Packers keep Zaire Franklin off IR with hairline fracture

The Packers had listed Franklin with a shin injury when he sat out last week. Monday morning we found out it was worse than that.

Ian Rapoport

@RapSheet

#Packers LB Zaire Franklin, who missed last week’s game after getting accidentally kicked in practice, suffered a hairline fracture in his leg, sources say. Green Bay did not place him on Injured Reserve, and they believe he can return while missing minimal games.

Skipping IR is the part that matters. Putting him there would have cost Franklin at least 4 games. Leaving him on the 53 tells you Green Bay thinks this is a couple of weeks and not a month-plus, and they would rather carry an injured guy than lose their defensive play-caller for a chunk of the season. It's a bet, and a hairline fracture doesn't come with a guaranteed timeline.

Without him Sunday, the Packers lost 20-17 to the Lions, a division game decided by a field goal. Franklin has been a big part of this defense from day 1. He's in his 9th season, and Green Bay got him from Indianapolis in March by sending defensive lineman Colby Wooden to the Colts. He was named a defensive captain, wears the green-dot helmet, and is 3rd on the team with 41 tackles, plus a forced fumble.

Packers beat writer Matt Schneidman didn't buy the bruise story either, and he pointed out that this kind of absence is rare for Franklin. His read on the next 2 weeks:

Matt Schneidman

@mattschneidman

Figured it was more than just a bruise if he missed the second game of his career. Short week this week is probably out of the question. At New England next Sunday.

Ian Rapoport

@RapSheet

#Packers LB Zaire Franklin, who missed last week’s game after getting accidentally kicked in practice, suffered a hairline fracture in his leg, sources say. Green Bay did not place him on Injured Reserve, and they believe he can return while missing minimal games. t.co/UZsTXXkY65

So pencil him out for the short week against Carolina. That leaves the trip to New England next Sunday as the first realistic return date, and the extra days of rest before that game are probably the whole reason Green Bay was comfortable skipping IR. If he can't go in Foxborough, people are going to start asking whether that decision was too optimistic.

Franklin also wasn't the only bad injury news out of Green Bay on Monday. The offensive line took a hit too:

ProFootballTalk

@ProFootballTalk

Zaire Franklin dealing with hairline fracture, Sean Rhyan believed to have high-ankle sprain. t.co/cRTvD7kaWr

High ankle sprains are known for lingering, so losing Sean Rhyan up front on top of Franklin on defense makes for a rough week heading into a quick turnaround. Keep an eye on Franklin's practice participation once the Patriots week starts. Any limited session would be a good sign, and the Packers could really use him back fast.