The Green Bay Packers officially released RB Johnathan Franklin on Friday.
Franklin’s neck injury is expected to be a career-ending injury and every indication from Thursday was that the Packers would cutting him in the coming days.
“It’s never easy releasing a player, but it’s especially difficult when a young man’s opportunity is taken away from him because of an injury,” GM Ted Thompson said. “Johnathan is a great person, a wonderful teammate, and a man that lives by his faith. The Packers are fortunate to have had the chance to work with him and we know that he will excel in whatever the future holds for him. He will always be a member of the Packers family.”
The second-year back out of UCLA was selected in the fourth-round in 2013, three rounds after Green Bay selected RB Eddie Lacy. The Packers likely envisioned Franklin as an ideal compliment to Lacy, who runs with a downhill style.
Franklin was set to compete with RB James Starks for the primary back-up position. He did see some time as a punt and kick returner as a rookie, so he could see the field on special teams as well.
Franklin registered 19 carries for 107 yards in eleven games played in 2013.
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