Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kevin Hickey

Colts’ Zaire Franklin receives drug test after stellar Week 1 performance

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin began his season with a stellar performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, enough for the league to take specific notice.

Following the Week 1 loss in which Franklin led the team with 18 tackles (10 solo), he received a random drug test from the league office.

An offer for Colts fans

For the best local Indianapolis news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to The Indianapolis Star.
Buy Colts Tickets

Franklin is hardly the first player to receive a “random” drug test from the NFL after a strong performance. In fact, it happens nearly every week.

The former seventh-round pick picked up right where he left off the 2022 campaign when he broke the franchise record for tackles in a single season. He was flying around the field leading the defense as the MIKE on Sunday, making impact plays both against the run and in coverage.

According to Pro Football Focus, Franklin was credited with seven total defensive stops, which was a team-high and the third-highest among all NFL defenders in Week 1.

As the Colts enter their second season under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, they certainly have a core piece emerging in the form of Franklin.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.