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Report: Former Auburn QB John Franklin III out for NFL season due to injury
By SDS Staff
Published:
Former Auburn quarterback John Franklin III has suffered a significant setback in his professional football career. On Friday, Franklin had to be carted off the field at Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice after suffering a reported leg injury. The latest news indicates Franklin could be out for the year.
While details of the injury have not been shared, Bucs coach Bruce Arians told reporters, “It’s not looking very good.”
On Sunday, Tampa Bay officially put Franklin on the injured reserve list. According to AL.com’s Mark Inabinett, that means Franklin is out for the 2020 NFL season:
The NFL and the NFL Players Association agreed to some changes to the injured-reserve rules for the 2020 season to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. But because Franklin went on IR before Sept. 6, he cannot return to the field for the Buccaneers in the 2020 season.
Franklin, who completed his college football career at FAU after stops at FSU, East Mississippi CC of “Last Chance U” fame and Auburn, signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2018. On Nov. 13, 2019, Franklin joined the Bucs practice squad. AL.com notes that it was his role in helping the team scout for Deshaun Watson that got Franklin an opportunity as a wildcat quarterback on the active roster. This year, the Bucs were looking at Franklin as a wide receiver and return specialist.
“He was a heck of a kickoff returner until he got injured today,” Arians said Friday.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
