EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsGREEN BAY, Wis. -- First Edgerrin Cooper, now Zaire Franklin. The Green Bay Packers have lost another inside linebacker due to injury, although at least the latest one is not season ending.Franklin won't play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions because of a shin injury he sustained in practice on Thursday."Unfortunately there was a little collision," Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Friday. "He got kneed in the shin, so he's gonna be out this game."LaFleur said Franklin is not expected to go on injured reserve, meaning he will miss fewer than four games. Although it's his first year with the Packers after coming to Green Bay in an offseason trade with the Colts, the ninth-year veteran quickly became a key part of the defense. He was elected defensive captain, rare for someone in the first year with a team, and has been the signal caller for the defense.Franklin ranked second on the team in tackles (41) and has two quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.The Packers lost Cooper three weeks ago to a torn Achilles, so the Packers will have to face Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs without both of their starting inside linebackers. Gibbs ranks second in the NFL in yards from scrimmage per game (149.4) and fourth in rushing yards per game (100.8).The Packers used two players to replace Cooper: Isaiah McDuffie and Ty'Ron Hopper. McDuffie has started but Hooper has played almost as many snaps in the rotation the last two weeks. Now Hopper, who had an interception in Week 5 against the Bears, will get a chance to start, too."He's done a great job," LaFleur said of Hopper. "His progression has been pretty cool to watch, just how he's developed over the years, especially I think we kinda got a good sense early on in training camp that he's on his way, so this will be a great opportunity for him to get even more reps."On the offensive side, running back Josh Jacobs is on track to make his season debut on Sunday. He missed the first six games while on the commissioner exempt list and practiced this week for the first time since training camp."Yeah, I believe so," LaFleur said when asked if Jacobs is on track to play against the Lions. "But again, we'll get through it and see how he's feeling and the confidence he has in himself, which I think is pretty strong. But those conversations will take place after [Friday's] practice."
