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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Green Bay Packers head into Sunday's divisional clash with the Lions at 4-2 and riding a three-game winning streak after a tough start to the year. After getting blown out 39-22 in Minnesota in Week 1 and 35-14 against the Falcons at home two weeks later, the Packers have now rattled off wins over the Buccaneers (17-14), Bears (31-7), and Cowboys (23-13).
In their primetime game against Dallas last Sunday night, Jordan Love threw for 276 yards and one touchdown, along with a rushing score, while Green Bay's defense held the Cowboys' high-powered offense to just 13 points and 48 total rushing yards. They also intercepted Dak Prescott twice and held Dallas scoreless in the entire first half.
But their upcoming matchup against Detroit is another major test, with Jahmyr Gibbs arguably the best running back in football and a lethal passing attack led by Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta. Unfortunately for the Packers, they'll need to keep Detroit in check without one of their best players, starting linebacker and defensive captain Zaire Franklin.
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Franklin took a knee to the shin during a collision at practice this week, and head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that he'll miss Sunday's game against the Lions. LaFleur doesn't expect Franklin to be placed on injured reserve, though, offering some hope it will be a short absence.
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Franklin has been one of Green Bay's most reliable defenders all season. Through the first six games, he's already recorded 41 total tackles, including 18 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and one forced fumble. This is Franklin's first season in Green Bay after being traded over from Indianapolis in March.
Stats aside, he's also a veteran leader for the defense and was wearing the green dot for the team, responsible for helping organize the defense and communicate assignments before the snap. Losing Franklin is another major setback for the Packers defense after already losing star linebacker Edgerrin Cooper with a season-ending Achilles injury.
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Without Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie and Ty'Ron Hopper would be the lead candidates to take on a bigger role. McDuffie is a 27-year-old veteran who's spent his entire six-year NFL career in Green Bay, while Hopper was the Packers' third-round pick in 2024 but has yet to truly establish himself as a weekly starter.
The immediate priority for Green Bay is getting past Detroit on Sunday without Franklin. But with the Panthers coming to Lambeau Field just four days later, followed by a road matchup at New England in Week 9, the Packers can't afford to be without their top linebacker for very long.
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