Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) works to stop Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts LB Zaire Franklin downgraded to doubtful vs. Panthers

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin was downgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s game against the host Carolina Panthers.

Franklin, who leads the NFL with 102 tackles this season, had been listed as questionable with a knee injury that prevented him from participating in practice this week.

Franklin, 27, also has 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in eight games (all starts) this season. He has played in 90 consecutive games since being selected by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Also on Saturday, Indianapolis elevated cornerback Chris Lammons from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Lammons, 27, recorded one tackle in one game this season with the Colts.

–Field Level Media

November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Alvin Kamara pleads not guilty; trial begins July 31

Saints running back Alvin Kamara and three other men — including Bengals defensive back Chris Lammons — pleaded not guilty to battery charges in a Las Vegas courtroom Thursday, setting the stage for a July trial.

Kamara, Lammons, Darrin Young and Percy Harris were all indicted last month on charges of conspiracy to commit battery, stemming from the alleged beating of a man outside of a Vegas nightclub in February 2022.

The judge set a trial date for July 31, which coincides with the start of training camp for many teams.

Harris is listed in court documents as Kamara’s manager.

According to police, video evidence shows Kamara punching a man eight times. The alleged victim was knocked unconscious and sustained an orbital fracture to his right eye, police said. After the man fell, he was allegedly stomped on by others in Kamara’s group.

The alleged victim, identified in court documents as Darnell Greene of Texas, filed a $10 million civil lawsuit in the Civil District Court of Orleans (La.) against Kamara last October. In the complaint, Greene said he will need continued medical care, including surgeries, to treat injuries he said he sustained in the alleged attack.

The alleged incident occurred at Drai’s After Hours nightclub, located in the basement of the Cromwell Hotel.

Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, played in the Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas the day after the incident.

Both Kamara and Lammons played in the NFL last season as the league continued an investigation into the allegations.

Kamara, 27, appeared in 15 games (13 starts) and ran for 897 yards and two touchdowns. He added 57 catches for 490 yards and two TDs.

Lammons played for the Chiefs in 2022 and was claimed on waivers by the Bengals before the AFC Championship Game. The 27-year-old played only 19 snaps on defense but was in the game on 75 percent of special teams plays. In 16 games, he forced a fumble and made seven tackles.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries the ball against Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards (57) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Saints RB Alvin Kamara, 3 others indicted in Las Vegas

A Nevada grand jury indicted New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chris Lammons and two other men in connection with the alleged beating of a man in a Las Vegas nightclub a year ago, per a report Thursday.

KLAS television in Las Vegas said the four face charges of conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. A court date was set for March 2.

A Clark County grand jury found enough evidence to proceed with charges in the Feb. 5, 2022, alleged incident during the NFL’s Pro Bowl weekend.

According to police, video evidence shows Kamara punching a man eight times. The alleged victim was knocked unconscious and sustained an orbital fracture to his right eye, police said. After the man fell, he was allegedly stomped on by others in Kamara’s group.

KLAS reported the incident began when Kamara put his hand on the man’s chest to prevent him from getting on an elevator with the group and escalated when the man pushed away Kamara’s hand.

That alleged victim, identified in court documents as Darnell Greene of Texas, filed a $10 million civil lawsuit in the Civil District Court of Orleans (La.) against Kamara last October. In the complaint, Greene said he will need continued medical care, including surgeries, to treat injuries he said he sustained in the alleged attack.

Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, played in the Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas the day after the incident.

Because of the indictment, the case will proceed straight to district court.

“The state has avoided a contested preliminary hearing by indicting Mr. Kamara,” attorneys David Chesnoff, Drew Findling and Richard Schonfeld said in a statement, according to KLAS. “He intends to vigorously fight the allegations at trial as he was defending himself and others at the time of the incident.”

Both Kamara and Lammons played in the NFL last season as the league continued an investigation into the allegations.

Kamara, 27, appeared in 15 games (13 starts) and ran for 897 yards and two touchdowns. He added 57 catches for 490 yards and two TDs.

Lammons played for the Chiefs in 2022 and was claimed on waivers by the Bengals before the AFC Championship Game, although the transaction only became official on Monday. The 27-year-old played only 19 snaps on defense but was in the game on 75 percent of special teams plays. In 16 games, he forced a fumble and made seven tackles.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) celebrates after a catch and run against the Tennessee Titans during overtime of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster ruled out vs. Chargers

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has been ruled out for this weekend’s game against the host Los Angeles Chargers, coach Andy Reid announced Friday.

Smith-Schuster sustained a concussion when he was hit in the third quarter of the Chiefs’ 27-17 victory over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday.

Kansas City (7-2) also will be without wide receiver Mecole Hardman (abdominal), who was placed on injured reserve Thursday, against the Chargers on Sunday night.

Smith-Schuster, 25, has 46 catches for 615 yards and no touchdowns in nine games during his first season with the Chiefs.

He has 369 receptions for 4,470 yards and 28 touchdowns in 72 career games with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2017-21) and Chiefs.

Cornerback Chris Lammons (concussion) also has been ruled out for Sunday’s AFC West clash with the Chargers (5-4).

Lammons, 26, has six tackles and one forced fumble in nine games this season.

He has 25 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 35 career games (no starts) with the Miami Dolphins (2019) and Chiefs.

–Field Level Media