Packers LB Zaire Franklin out for Thursday night vs. Panthers

Shin fracture costs him a second game in five days.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 2h1 min read

Packers LB Zaire Franklin will be out again and miss Thursday night's game against the Panthers. Via @JamesPalmerTV on X

What happened: Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin will miss Thursday night's game against the Carolina Panthers, per James Palmer. Listed as doubtful on the injury report, Franklin is recovering from a hairline fracture in his shin sustained during a practice collision last Thursday.

Why it matters: The short turnaround from Sunday left no window for the 2018 seventh-round pick out of Syracuse to gain clearance after sitting out Week 7. Green Bay's defense must now manage a second straight matchup shorthanded at linebacker while trying to snap its skid and defend the final playoff seed.

By the numbers: Green Bay enters at 4-3 (No. 7 seed, L1) following a 20-17 loss on Oct. 25, while Carolina stands at 3-3 (No. 4 seed, L1) after a 43-13 defeat the same day.

What to watch: After Thursday night's contest against Carolina, Green Bay gets a mini-bye that gives Franklin extra recovery time before Week 9.

Sources

@JamesPalmerTV 2026-10-27T22:29:59.067226+00:00

CONVERSATION

Loading comments…

NFLInjuryGreen Bay PackersCarolina PanthersZaire Franklin

Follow NFL Intelligence

Real-time signals and analysis

@WireReportNFL

WR Pro

The day's sports, briefed to your inbox at 7am ET. Every claim sourced.

$9/month Free weekly newsletter →

WIRE REPORT

Packers LB Zaire Franklin out for Thursday night vs. Panthers

More on Zaire Franklin

Sources

More on Zaire Franklin