The Green Bay Packers will be without veteran defender Zaire Franklin against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, and his absence will test their off-ball linebacker depth. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Franklin suffered a shin injury in a collision and will not play against Detroit.

The Packers are still evaluating the situation, but the injury is not expected to be a long-term issue, and it does not sound like Franklin will land on injured reserve. It looks more like a short-term absence. Still, the timing is difficult for Green Bay, and the matchup makes it worse.

Losing a starter on the spine of the defense

Franklin has been an important player for the Packers since they acquired him in the offseason. Green Bay traded defensive tackle Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts for him, and the Colts ended up releasing Wooden. Franklin, meanwhile, has started for the Packers.

Right after the trade, Franklin signed a revised deal with Green Bay. It’s a two-year, $18 million contract, so he’s making $9 million per year.

He has played fairly well so far, especially against the run. Franklin is a smart player, and despite his struggles in pass coverage, he has been a useful piece in the middle of the defense.

His absence matters more because the Packers are already missing another starter. Edgerrin Cooper is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, so Green Bay will be very thin at linebacker against Detroit.

Depth chart gets tested against the Lions

Isaiah McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper are now expected to start. Behind them, the backups are essentially special teamers in Kristian Welch and Nick Niemann. The Packers also have undrafted rookie Jack Dingle at linebacker on the practice squad.

The starting duo is passable. Hopper has played well, especially in pass coverage. McDuffie is a good run defender. Each player brings a different strength, so the Packers can lean on both depending on the situation.

The problem is what happens if anything else goes wrong. The Lions are the kind of opponent that can expose a thin position group.

Detroit has a strong run game, and that is exactly where Franklin had been helping the Packers the most. The Lions also have tight end Sam LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, two players who can stress linebackers in different ways.

For the most part, McDuffie and Hopper can handle a normal workload. However, one more injury would push special teamers into significant defensive snaps against one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFC.

So the concern for Green Bay is twofold. First, the Lions have the personnel to target the linebacker position directly. Second, the depth behind the starters is a real problem, with little proven experience if the Packers need to rotate or replace someone during the game.