Panthers safety Sam Franklin returns first career interception for 99-yard TD

Carolina Panthers (0-3) safety Sam Franklin recorded the first interception of his career in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings (0-3) Sunday.

Not only did Franklin come down with the pick off Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, but he took it 99 yards the other way for six. The 99-yard pick-six is the longest interception return for a touchdown in franchise history. The previous record was a 97-yarder from Julius Peppers in 2004 against the Denver Broncos, per David Newton of ESPN. In addition, Franklin reached a top speed of 20.6 mph — the fastest speed by any Panthers ball carrier this season.

Franklin, signed by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2020 out of Temple, is getting some more work Sunday with starting safety Xavier Woods expected to be sidelined four to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

The 27-year-old has suited up 50 games (five starts) over four seasons, compiling 73 tackles (52 solo) with three passes defended and one forced fumble.

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