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Packers LB Zaire Franklin out Sunday with shin injury

By Thomson Reuters Oct 23, 2026 | 12:59 PM

By Field Level Media

Oct 23 (Field Level Media) – Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin will miss Sunday’s game ​at Detroit with a shin injury ‌sustained in Thursday’s practice.

“Unfortunately, Zaire, there was a little collision — he got kneed in the shin,” head coach Matt LaFleur said Friday. “So, ‌he’s ​going to be out ⁠this game.”

Franklin, 30, ranks ⁠second on the Packers (4-2) with 41 tackles through his first six starts with the team.

“I don’t think it’s going ​to be anything too long-term,” LaFleur added. “But, yeah, just (an) unfortunate deal. That ⁠happens when you play ⁠football, especially the way our ​guys have been practicing.”

Acquired in a March trade ​with Indianapolis, Franklin played his first ‌eight NFL seasons with the Colts and made the Pro Bowl in 2024. The 2018 seventh- round draft pick has ⁠779 tackles, 10 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and three interceptions in 138 career games (88 starts).

Franklin’s ⁠absence means ‌more playing time for Ty’Ron ⁠Hopper and Isaiah McDuffie against ​the ‌NFC North rival Lions (3-2).

“I think ​we’ve got ⁠a lot of confidence in McDuffie, and Hopper, and Nick Niemann if need be, to go in there and do a great job for us,” LaFleur said.

(–Field ​Level Media)