We saw Sterling Sharpe end his career and a shot at the Hall of Fame after a neck injury in 1994, and the same thing happened to Nick Collins in 2011.  Now, Jermichael Finley is in danger of not being able to sign with any team after his own spinal fusion surgery, as stated in my previous article.  After three (potential) career-ending neck injuries on the Packers' track record, you'd think that would be enough for one franchise in a 20-year span, right? ......Right?  Unfortunately, that may not be the case.  According to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, 2nd-year Running Back Johnathan Franklin's career may be in danger after a neck injury in which he suffered in 2013.  Franklin, a 4th-round pick in 2013 out of UCLA, saw reasonable time last season as a kick returner on special teams.  However, his biggest game last season came in week 3 at Cincinnati.  With both Eddie Lacy and James Starks out with injuries, Franklin stepped in at tailback and ran for 103 yards on 13 carries.

Once Lacy broke out and Starks became a formidable backup, Franklin played mostly special teams before his injury in the week 11 tie against Minnesota.  If you add DuJuan Harris to the mix, who came on late in 2012 but was placed on IR in 2013, the Packers already have an above-average group of running backs, even without Franklin.  Still, Franklin has a Darren Sproles-like feel to him, and if he's able to recover, he could eventually become a really nice complement to Lacy's power rushing.

 

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