Sports News Report
League: NFLSport: FootballCountry: United StatesCategory: Breaking News

Sam Franklin Jr. steps in as starter for Bills during practice

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 4, 2026, 1:25 AM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

Sam Franklin Jr. steps in as starter for Bills during practice
Summary

During practice on August 3, 2026, Buffalo Bills safety Sam Franklin Jr. took starting reps in place of injured C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Gardner-Johnson suffered a lower leg strain during training camp, raising concerns among fans about the team's depth. With Franklin's promotion, he bypassed rookie Jalon Kilgore and others expected to compete for the role. The shift comes amid coaching changes that may influence player positioning, offering new opportunities for all safeties on the roster.

Source Links
Yahoo Sports
Status Watch
  • •C.J. Gardner-Johnson injured during training camp practice.
  • •Franklin took starting reps at safety during Monday's practice.
  • •Coaching changes may impact player roles amid competition.
  • •Rookie Jalon Kilgore was expected to vie for the starting role.
  • •Franklin's promotion highlights overall safety depth for the Bills.
Latest Updates
  • 1:25 AMYahoo Sports — Buffalo Bills S Sam Franklin Jr. gets starting reps during Monday’s practice
What they're saying
"

The Buffalo Bills surprised many by having Sam Franklin Jr. start Monday’s practice for an injured C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Related Teams & Leagues
Buffalo BillsMiami DolphinsNFLFootball

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days