Packers concerned over Jonathan Franklin’s neck injury
By Brian Miller
The Green Bay Packers are missing a few players from their off-season workouts but only one has them concerned about playing again. Last season rookie running-back Jonathan Franklin suffered a season ending neck injury. The 4th round selection of the Packers was placed on the injured reserve list.
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Since then Franklin has been undergoing treatment for his neck and according to a report on ESPN, the Packers are a little concerned about his playing future.
"According to two people with knowledge of his situation, the Packers are putting Franklin through more tests to determine whether it’s safe for him to continue playing."
Franklin rushed for 103 yards in his only real action of the 2013 season. A week three match-up agains the Cincinnati Bengals. He was injured while returning a kick-off against the Minnesota Vikings. The injury was initially thought to be a concussion. A week later Franklin made the team trip to Detroit where he was then notified that he would be place on the injured reserve list.
Fast forward to now and Franklin is obviously still not progressing. Franklin has missed all of the teams off-season workouts has he tries to recover from the injury. There was talk last year that he could need surgery but so far nothing has been determined if that is a route to go.
The NFL has been taking note of special teams injuries specifically in the kick-return game in an attempt to reduce injury to players. The NFL has yet to make a determination on the future of the return game but they have moved the kick-off to the 35 yard line in the hopes that more kicks will be touchbacks. Elimination of the kick-offs have been discussed at recent competition and owner meetings but nothing has been agreed upon as of yet.