Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 210 lbs |
| Birthplace: Inverness, FL |
| Age: 30 |
| School: Temple |
| Experience: 7 |
Next Game
Now Playing
Share Video
Link copied!
-
1:20Bills Hope to Improve Defense After Bye Week
-
1:33NFL Week 8 RB Battle: Derrick Henry vs. James Cook
-
8:28Ravens vs. Bills Preview & Predictions | HQ NFL
-
8:06NFL Trade Deadline: Biggest Areas of Need for Bills
-
1:25Under The Cap: Maxx Crosby to Buffalo?
-
68:01Russell Wilson and Kyle Long react to NFL Week 7: Seahawks dominant D, Giants QB conundrum & MORE | Set, Hut!
-
7:07Are the Vikings a real Super Bowl threat? | Set, Hut!
-
2:43NFL Week 8 Picks: Ravens at Bills
-
1:48Kirk Cousins to Remain Raiders Starter Despite 4 Losses
-
0:46Garrett Wilson Frustrated Amid Jets' Loss to Dolphins
-
1:56Drake Maye's Road and End Zone Woes Continue
-
1:43Why Bills Should Consider Trading For Brian Thomas Jr.
-
0:45Only 5 NFL Teams Can Win The Super Bowl
-
63:03Russell Wilson and Kyle Long react to NFL Week 6: Jalen Hurts news, Caleb Williams' return & more | Set, Hut!
-
9:16Can anyone stop Josh Allen and the Bills? | Set, Hut!
-
4:16Are Drake Maye and the Patriots FINALLY back to form? | Set, Hut!
-
6:52"They are a TRUE Super Bowl threat!" | Is this the Bengals' year? | set, Hut!
-
60:59Russell Wilson and Kyle Long react to NFL Week 5: Bills-Rams goes insane, 49ers best in the league? | Set, Hut!
-
60:54Russell Wilson & Kyle Long react to Chiefs, Pats, Cowboys, Jags, Panthers | Set, Hut!
-
60:55Russell Wilson & Kyle Long react to Raiders' 3-0 start, Cowboys debacle, Justin Herbert I Set, Hut!
This page may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and sign up, make a deposit, place a wager, or make a trade, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
2026 Defensive
| STATS |
CMB
Total Tackles
|
INT
Interceptions
|
TD
Interceptions Returned For Touchdown
|
FUM
Forced Fumbles
|
SCK
Sacks
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | — | — | — | — | — |
Top Sam Franklin News
-
Bills' Sam Franklin: Suspension rescinded
The NFL reduced Franklin's discipline from a one-game suspension to a fine of $14,926, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Franklin was disciplined by the league for allegedly spitting at an opponent late in the fourth quarter of the Bills' Week 6 win over the Raiders. The decision has been altered to a fine, and with the Bills on a bye, the Temple product will be available for Week 8 against the Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 1.
... See More ... See Less -
Bills' Sam Franklin: Suspended for one game
The NFL announced Wednesday that Franklin has received a one-game suspension without pay due to an act of unsportsmanlike conduct during the Bills' 33-30 win over the Raiders on Sunday.
The suspension stems from Franklin allegedly spitting at an opponent late in the fourth quarter during a successful extra-point attempt by the Raiders. The veteran defensive back has denied the allegation by the league and will appeal the ruling, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Franklin has played solely on special teams this season, but with C.J. Gardner-Johnson also handed a one-game suspension, the Bills' secondary could be thin for their Week 8 game against the Ravens on Sunday, Nov. 1.
... See More ... See Less -
Bills' Sam Franklin: Signs with Buffalo
The Bills signed Franklin on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Franklin lands on his feet quickly after he was released by the Broncos earlier Tuesday. The veteran safety appeared in 74 regular-season contests in Carolina over the previous five seasons. He recorded 105 tackles (74 solo), including 1.0 sacks, five pass breakups, including one interception, and one forced fumble in that span. Franklin will handle reserve safety duties while contributing on special teams in Buffalo.
... See More ... See Less -
Sam Franklin: Released by Denver
The Broncos released Franklin on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Franklin inked a one-year deal with Denver back in April after spending the first five seasons of his career in Carolina. Franklin is a reserve safety and special teams contributor.
... See More ... See Less -
-
Broncos' Sam Franklin: Signs one-year deal in Denver
The Broncos signed Franklin to a one-year contract Tuesday, Jon Heath of USA Today reports.
Franklin, who spent the first five years of his NFL career in Carolina, suited up for 10 regular-season games with the Panthers in 2024. He played 236 snaps on special teams and just four snaps on defense in that span. Now, the 29-year-old safety will compete for a similar role in Denver.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Sam Franklin: Will make season debut Sunday
Franklin (foot) is active for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Broncos, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Franklin began the campaign on IR and missed each of Carolina's first seven contests. He was activated Saturday after finishing the week with consecutive full practices. Franklin has logged more snaps on special teams than on defense each of the past three seasons and will likely fill a similar role now that he's back in action.
... See More ... See Less -
-
Panthers' Sam Franklin: Removed from IR
The Panthers activated Franklin (foot) from injured reserve Saturday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Franklin, Carolina's special teams captain, has yet to make an appearance during the regular season due to a fractured foot sustained during training camp. He remains questionable for Sunday's road matchup against the Broncos.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Sam Franklin: Could return from IR
Franklin (personal/foot) was a full practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Franklin broke his foot in late July, which caused him to begin the regular season on injured reserve. His 21-day window to return from IR opened Oct. 14, and while he opened this week as a DNP on Wednesday, he finished with consecutive full practices. By practicing without limitations over the last two days, Franklin has given himself a chance of being activated off IR ahead of Sunday's contest.
... See More ... See Less -
-
Panthers' Sam Franklin: Officially designated to return
Franklin (foot) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
The Temple product broke his foot in late July and has yet to play for the Panthers this season. However, the opening of his 21-day practice window Wednesday indicates he's nearing a return to the field. Expect Franklin to serve as a depth piece in a struggling Panthers secondary once he's activated to the team's active roster.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Sam Franklin: Returning to practice
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that Franklin (foot) will resume practicing this week, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.
The Temple product broke his foot in late July and has yet to make his 2024 debut. However, Canales' comments Monday indicate that Franklin is almost past his injury, and with a full week of practice ahead of him, the safety could be a candidate to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's contest versus the Commanders. When healthy, Franklin may not see much run on defense but should be a major contributor on special teams.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Sam Franklin: Lands on IR
Franklin (foot) was placed on the Panthers' injured reserve list Tuesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Franklin broke his foot on July 29 and has been sidelined since. He was expected to play a big role on Carolina's special-teams unit prior to the injury. It is unclear where his timeline for recovery stands, but the 28-year-old will be eligible to return Week 5 versus the Saints if his health allows it.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Sam Franklin: Breaks foot
Franklin broke his foot during Saturday's practice, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Head coach Dave Canales called Franklin's injury "a big hit" due to the 28-year-old's value to Carolina's special-teams unit, per David Newton of ESPN.com. Franklin appeared in all 17 of the Panthers' regular-season games last season, recording 30 total tackles and three passes defended, including one interception, while playing a total of 602 snaps (313 on special teams). Once the Temple product is past his foot injury, he's expected to remain an integral part of the Panthers' special-teams unit.
... See More ... See Less -
Panthers' Sam Franklin: Returns to Carolina
The Panthers re-signed Franklin to a one-year contract Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Franklin suited up for all 17 regular-season games with Carolina last season, finishing with 30 tackles (20 solo) and three passes defensed, including an interception which he returned for a 99-yard touchdown in Week 4 against the Vikings. He also played 310 snaps on special teams.
... See More ... See Less -
-
Panthers' Sam Franklin: Plays all 17 games
Franklin finished the regular season with 30 tackles (20 solo) and three passes defended, including a 99-yard interception returned for a touchdown, in 17 games.
Franklin has played every game for the Panthers over the past two seasons. The highlight of his 2023 campaign was his long touchdown in Week 4, the first end-zone trip of his four-year career. Franklin will now become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
... See More ... See Less -
-
