The Colts signed Franklin to a three-year, $31.3 million contract extension Monday, Stephen Holder of ESPN reports. Franklin, who was No. 2 in the NFL last season with 179 tackles (107 solo), was already under contract for 2024, but this extension leaves him set to start at middle linebacker in Indianapolis for the foreseeable future. The 2018 seventh-round pick began his career as a special-teams ace but has since transformed into a verifiable fantasy standout in IDP formats.
![Zaire Franklin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2617.png?w=380)
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ACTIVELatest Zaire Franklin news
![Zaire Franklin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2617.png?w=100)
Zaire Franklin Career Stats
Career Stats
Defensive
Year | GP | SOLO | AST | TOTAL | SACK | SACKYDS | INT | DEF |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 16 | 107 | 72 | 179 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 6 |
2022 | 17 | 102 | 64 | 166 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 6 |
2021 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
2020 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2019 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2018 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
![Zaire Franklin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2617.png?w=100)
Zaire Franklin Game Log 2023
2023 Regular Season
|
defensive
|
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date
|
Opp
|
Result
|
SOLO
|
AST
|
TOTAL
|
SACK
|
SACKYDS
|
INT
|
DEF
|
TFL
|
1/6
|
L
19-23
|
3
|
6
|
9
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
12/31
|
W
23-20
|
7
|
3
|
10
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
12/24
|
L
10-29
|
9
|
2
|
11
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
12/16
|
W
30-13
|
2
|
3
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
12/10
|
L
14-34
|
6
|
8
|
14
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
|
12/3
|
W
31-28
|
1
|
5
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
11/26
|
W
27-20
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
11/12
|
W
10-6
|
12
|
3
|
15
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
10/29
|
L
27-38
|
6
|
8
|
14
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
10/22
|
L
38-39
|
9
|
2
|
11
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
10/15
|
L
20-37
|
6
|
2
|
8
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
10/8
|
W
23-16
|
7
|
5
|
12
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
10/1
|
L
23-29
|
7
|
5
|
12
|
0.5
|
3.5
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
9/24
|
W
22-19
|
11
|
4
|
15
|
1
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
|
9/17
|
W
31-20
|
8
|
5
|
13
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
|
9/10
|
L
21-31
|
10
|
7
|
17
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
|
Regular Season Totals |
107
|
72
|
179
|
1.5
|
7.5
|
0
|
6
|
3
|
![Zaire Franklin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2617.png?w=100)
Zaire Franklin Player Profile
Career History
![Colts's logo](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/indianapolis-colts-logo.png?w=150)
![Zaire Franklin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2617.png?w=100)
Zaire Franklin Fantasy Projections
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![Zaire Franklin](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/940x940-crop-2617.png?w=100)
Zaire Franklin Latest News
Getting three-year extension
![Team logo](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/indianapolis-colts-logo.png?w=150)
The Colts signed Franklin to a three-year, $31.3 million contract extension Monday, Stephen Holder of ESPN reports. Franklin, who was No. 2 in the NFL last season with 179 tackles (107 solo), was already under contract for 2024, but this extension leaves him set to start at middle linebacker in Indianapolis for the foreseeable future. The 2018 seventh-round pick began his career as a special-teams ace but has since transformed into a verifiable fantasy standout in IDP formats.
Posts double-digit tackles
![Team logo](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/indianapolis-colts-logo.png?w=150)
Franklin once again piled up the tackles, recording a double-digit total for the eighth time in nine games. The 27-year-old remains the league leader in the category with 117 on the season. Now, Indianapolis heads into their bye week before a matchup with Tampa Bay in Week 12.
Inactive Sunday
![Team logo](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/indianapolis-colts-logo.png?w=150)
The starting middle linebacker was listed as questionable Friday and then doubtful Saturday after missing practice all week. Franklin has 102 tackles, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 2023. His absence should open up playing time for Segun Olubi.
Injures knee Sunday
![Team logo](https://cdn.statically.io/img/heavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/indianapolis-colts-logo.png?w=150)
Franklin was up to four tackles on the day before leaving the game. He went to the medical tent before going back to the locker room. Tony Brown has taken over at cornerback in Franklin's absence.