James Franklin secured the signature Southeastern Conference victory his resume lacked on Saturday, but for the senior Missouri quarterback hoping to parlay his final college season into an NFL career, it came at a price.
Missouri toppled No.7-ranked Georgia 41-26 Saturday with Franklin playing a key role, but the 6-foot-2, 235-pound dual-threat quarterback injured his right shoulder in the second half and did not return. CBSSports.com's Bruce Feldman reported Franklin suffered a Grade 2 shoulder separation and is expected to miss at least six weeks.
Franklin completed 18 of 27 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown, and added a touchdown rushing as the Tigers took a 28-10 halftime lead. Franklin ran for a 5-yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7, then connected from 16 yards for a score with L'Damian Washington to open a lead the Tigers would never relinquish.
While Franklin's performance at Georgia will no doubt help his NFL draft case, the injury will not. Franklin was plagued by injuries last season, including a shoulder injury, and had enjoyed a healthy 2013 until Saturday.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
