Neck injury forces Packers’ Johnathan Franklin to retire after rookie season

Green Bay Packers running back Johnathan Franklin announced that he will be ending his football career after just one season because of a neck injury. Franklin

Green Bay Packers running back Johnathan Franklin announced that he will be ending his football career after just one season because of a neck injury.

Franklin was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by the Packers and showed some promise with a 103-yard game against the Cincinnati Bengals before fellow rookie Eddie Lacy took over the lead back role. His season ended early when he was placed on the injured reserve after injuring his neck on a kickoff return against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8.

The team was concerned about Franklin's injury this offseason and ordered a battery of tests before allowing him to practice, according to ESPN On Thursday, the  24-year old said on Twitter that he had "been ruled out returning for the 2014/15 season and returning to play in the NFL."

"I have been ruled out of returning for the 2014/15 season and returning to play in the NFL." RT @JFrank2308: pic.twitter.com/4yAPoqRTdn

— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) June 19, 2014