Indianapolis Colts
Aubrayo Franklin - NT
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 1"/ 315 lbs. |
| Birthday | 08/27/1980 |
| Birthplace | Johnson City, TN |
| College | Tennessee |
| Years played | 11 |
| Drafted | 2003, 5th round, 11th pick by Ravens |
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Re-signing Bullitt, improving depth at safety key for Colts
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PLAYER NEWS
Indianapolis has signed Franklin and is bringing back offensive guard Joe Reitz. The Colts made the announcements Wednesday afternoon.|||||||
Franklin, who is 6-foot-1, 315 pounds, is a 10-year veteran who played most recently with San Diego last year. He made nine starts for the Chargers and finished with 23 tackles. He was originally drafted by Baltimore in 2003, has four career sacks and is the eighth free agent Indy has signed from another team.
A person familiar with the situation says the New Orleans Saints have agreed to contract terms with Franklin.|||||||
The 6-foot-1, 317-pound Franklin is a proven run defender who has started the past four seasons for San Francisco after beginning his career in Baltimore.
Franklin has ended his holdout by signing a $7 million franchise tag tender. Franklin officially signed the deal Saturday before the Niners played the Oakland Raiders in an exhibition game. This gives Franklin a little more than two weeks to get ready for the season opener Sept. 12 against Seattle.|||||||
The sides were unable to reach terms on a long-term deal before a deadline in July. Franklin did not report to training camp, but finally signed the contract that will pay him $7.003 million this season. Franklin emerged as one of the top nose tackles in the league last season with 36 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the veteran nose tackle reportedly is about to rejoin his teammates after missing all the offseason training, the minicamp and the four-week training camp.|||||||
Franklin is expected to sign a one-year contract for $7.003 million and watch the 49ers play the Raiders at the Oakland Coliseum.
The San Francisco 49ers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Franklin on Tuesday.|||||||
The move allows the Niners to match any offer Franklin receives from another team or get two first-round picks as compensation. Franklin is guaranteed just more than $7 million next season with the tag. General manager Scot McCloughan says the team still hopes to sign Franklin to a long-term contract before the start of next season. Franklin emerged as one of the top nose tackles in the league last season with 36 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
