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.
Buy Colts TicketsDrug tested this morning 🤣🤣
Right on time
— Zaire Franklin (@ZiggySmalls_) September 11, 2023
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.
