Packers’ running back Johnathan Franklin may never play football again
Green Bay Packers running back Johnathan Franklin’s neck injury has the potential to be career-ending. He announced on twitter that he has been ruled out not only for the 2014-2015 season, but also for the rest of his career.
— Johnathan Franklin (@JFrank2308) June 19, 2014
The Packers were “putting Franklin through more tests to determine whether it’s safe for him to continue playing.” According to Franklin’s tweet, the decision was made earlier this week that it was unsafe for him to continue playing football.
Though his language it not completely clear, it seems Franklin will have to pull the trigger on an earlier retirement than he would have hoped from the NFL.
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Franklin had what seemed like a breakout performance against the Bengals last September when he had 103 yards on 13 carries. Eddie Lacy took over the starting job, however; and so the fourth-rounder, Franklin, only finished with 109 rushing yards on 19 carries and 30 yards on four receptions.
During his four years at UCLA, Franklin amassed 4,403 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, with 517 yards and 3 touchdowns receiving. Though the final stats from his rookie season didn’t show it, he seemed to have great promise in the league.
Oddly enough, the injury comes to a team that has a history of neck injuries. In recent years, the Packers have seen injuries to that area of the body occur with Nick Collins, Sean Richardson and Jermichael Finley. Finley seems to be on his way back and Richardson has made a full recovery. Nick Collins is yet to be cleared, but is eying a comeback.
The team has yet to make an official announcement about Franklin’s status.