Sam Franklin Jr. provides spark, but Panthers still winless  

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Sam Franklin Jr. returns an interception for a Panthers record 99-yard touchdown Sunday against Minnesota as teammate D'Shawn Jamison blocks Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. Minnesota won 21-8 for their first win of the season. Carolina fell to 0-4.

When Carolina Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr. hustled off the Bank of America Stadium field Sunday, he received stern coaching after being called for a 45-yard pass interference penalty near the goal line.

Franklin absorbed the brief critical chat as Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins appeared to throw a touchdown pass, but it was wiped out via offensive holding. Returning to the field, Franklin jumped in front of Cousins’ pass and returning it 99 yards for his first NFL touchdown.

“That was a massive play, right?” Panthers coach Frank Reich said. “After the PI and coming up with a big stop and pick-six, that’s a huge deal.”

At the time it was, but as the game moved along, the offense failed to overcome a costly third-quarter turnover and generate consistent yardage. Quarterback Bryce Young said the offensive “squandered” the defensive spark in a 21-13 decision. The Panthers, who are one of two winless NFL teams, fell to 0-4.

“We all have to own it,” Reich said. “It starts with myself.”

Making the most of a rare NFL start

The Vikings entered Sunday’s matchup as one of two offensive units to compile more than 1,000 passing yards, with 1,019. The ground game was different, though, with only 199 – second fewest in the league.

Flanked by wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson, it’s little wonder why Cousins was so pass happy.

The perceived Vikings’ advantage was exasperated further by the health of the Panthers’ secondary. With starting safety Xavier Woods (hamstring) inactive and cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring) on injured reserve, Franklin drew the starting assignment and reserve cornerbacks C.J. Henderson and Troy Hill were also expected to see a substantial increase in snaps.

The situation worsened in the first quarter when Donte Jackson departed the opening series with a right shoulder injury.  

For Franklin, a fourth-year pro, communication remained the key in preparing for his sixth career start. During practice last week, Franklin spent extra time with safety Jeremy Chinn, reviewing play calls and situational signals.

Franklin certainly crossed Cousins’ signals on the longest interception return in Panthers’ history.

“He did his thing,” Hill said. “He’s resilient. He knows how to battle adversity. He took advantage of his opportunity. That’s kinda what you have to do in our position.”

Franklin picks up fast as a starter

At one point during the return, Franklin reached a maximum running speed of 20.6 mph, the fastest recorded speed of any Panthers ball carrier this season, according to ESPN.com. Racing down the far sideline, Franklin eluded a meek tackle attempt by Cousins around the Vikings’ 25 to reach the end zone for the first time since he scored twice during his senior season at Temple.

“He just continues, going back to preseason, whenever he’s in there, he just finds a way to make plays,” Reich said.

Young agreed.

“It was a huge play, early,” said Young, who went 25 of 32 for 204 yards. “The defense did a great job of getting us points. As an offense, for myself, first and foremost, we can’t squander that. We have to make sure we capitalize on things like that.”

The Panthers didn’t on Sunday.

Leading 13-7 and driving in the third quarter, Young couldn’t avoid a rush by Harrison Smith, who compiled three sacks. Smith, who finished with three sacks, stripped Young. D.J. Wonnum scooped up the loose ball and scored on a 51-yard return.

The difference Sunday was the Vikings took advantage of their defensive spark, adding a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Cousins to Justin Jefferson.

Asked of the winless Panthers’ mindset and where do they go heading into next Sunday’s game at NFC North Division-leading Detroit (3-1), Hill said: “Come back and keep working. That’s all you can do. Keep working.”

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