After missing the spring due to ankle surgery, Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin returned to the field for the first time since the 2024 season ended. Itâs a significant development for a defense undergoing schematic change under new coordinator Lou Anarumo, and even more so when the returning player happens to be one of the most productive defenders in football.
Franklin shattered the Colts single season tackles record in 2023 with 179 total stops, breaking his own mark of 166 set the year before. And over the last two seasons, no player in the NFL has more combined tackles.Â
Now, after spending the first two weeks of training camp watching from the sideline, Franklin is back in pads, and back where he belongs.Â
“I can’t lie, I almost shed a tear yesterday when I set foot on the field,” Franklin said. “I ain’t missed that much time before….it felt great to be back out there with the guys.”
What the Colts Lost Without Him
GettyThe Colts most trusted voice returns
Franklin isnât flashy. He doesnât lead highlight reels or make headlines with viral quotes. Heâs not built for social media soundbites or postgame theatrics. What he does is far more difficult to replace: he sets the tone, raises the floor, and brings clarity to chaos, especially in the moments that donât show up on stat sheets.Â
Heâs the guy who gets everyone lined up, anticipates offensive shifts, and diagnoses plays before they happen. In a defense loaded with youth and new pieces, that kind of presence is vital. Teammates follow his voice: literally, as the defensive signal-caller, and figuratively, as a leader who has earned respect through consistency, not status.Â
His leadership was especially missed during the early days of camp, when Lou Anarumoâs new scheme was being installed. Known for its versatility, disguise, and demand for mental sharpness, the system puts a lot on the shoulders of its linebackers. Franklin had to absorb it all from a distance, watching as cornerbacks disguised coverages, safeties rotated post-snap, and defensive linemen played with more freedom, and he was desperate to be a part of it.
“That was probably the hardest part of the last two weeks,” he said. “I was itching to get out there. Not only just to be out there competing with my guys, but you know, I just see my place in this thing.” That quote captures what the Colts get with Franklin: a player who doesnât just occupy a spot on the depth chart, but fills a role within the identity of the team.Â
Bigger Picture: The Voice Behind the Vision
GettyAfter weeks spent on the sidelines, every step back onto the field felt like something earned.
In a season that could define Shane Steichenâs long term vision and Anarumoâs influence on the defense, Franklinâs return feels like more than just a health update. Itâs the reintroduction of a trusted interpreter, someone who understands the playbook, the locker room, and the locker roomâs pulse.
Heâs not fully back yet. Franklin admitted as much, saying heâs taking it day by day. “I’m in my process,” he said. “I’m just glad to be out there with my brothers.”
For now, that process means stacking reps and reestablishing rhythm. But the Colts know whatâs coming. As the preseason approaches and live action ramps up, No. 44 will be more than ready, and his defense will be better because of it.
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