Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin is dealing with a hairline fracture in his leg, while center Sean Rhyan is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Rhyan left Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions with an ankle injury. X-rays were negative, but he is expected to get an MRI on Monday. Rhyan would be expected to miss four to six weeks if imaging shows a high ankle sprain.
Not only did the Packers lose Rhyan after just four snaps against the Lions, but they also lost primary backup center Jacob Monk to a quad injury after five snaps. Second-year pro John Williams finished the game, playing the final 58 snaps of the game. Those were the first career regular season snaps Williams has played on offense.
Coach Matt LaFleur said after the game he did not expect Rhyan or Monk to be available for Thursday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
Franklin suffered what LaFleur called a shin injury during a collision in practice last Thursday. On Friday, LaFleur said Franklin is not expected to go on injured reserve, meaning the team believes he will miss fewer than four games.
Although it's Franklin's first year with the Packers after coming to Green Bay in an offseason trade with the Indianapolis Colts, the ninth-year veteran quickly became a key part of the defense. He was elected defensive captain, rare for someone in the first year with a team, and has been the signal-caller for the defense.
Franklin ranks third on the team in tackles (41) and has two quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
After Franklin's injury, the Packers played without both of their starting linebackers after losing Edgerrin Cooper to a torn Achilles in Week 4. Cooper will miss the rest of the season. Isaiah McDuffie and Ty'Ron Hopper played the two inside linebacker spots against the Lions.