Zaire Franklin gives injury update prior to training camp

Training camp is officially under way in Indianapolis. Veteran players reported to Grand Park on Tuesday, following up the arrivals of the rookies on Monday. 

The beginning of camp typically brings some storylines— like injury updates.

Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin arrived at training camp, but won’t be ready to go when they hit the field for their first practice Wednesday as he recovers from an offseason ankle surgery, he told the media. There’s no timetable on his return.

Franklin isn’t expected to be out long, however. General manager Chris Ballard said that no players will begin camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. 

The linebacker position was always going to be one under scrutiny in training camp this summer. Indianapolis lost a starter in EJ Speed to free agency and is rolling the dice on second-year man Jaylon Carlies to fill in for him off the back of a season-ending fibula injury in 2024 and an offseason operation on his shoulder. 

Furthermore, Franklin is one of the loudest voices the Colts have on the field, serving as a defensive captain, meaning his absence is not just a minor one. 

Beyond Franklin and Carlies, the depth chart is fairly underwhelming. Their backups, Segun Olubi and Cameron McGrone, have combined for just 36 career tackles between them. 

It still remains unclear exactly how long Franklin will be sidelined, but a missing starter at an already thin position is a troubling way to kick off their first summer under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.