Carolina Panthers: Tight end Greg Olsen re-fractures right foot
The Carolina Panthers are expected to be without tight end Greg Olsen for a significant amount of time as the team announces he re-fractured his right foot.
The Carolina Panthers won their first game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys but appear to have suffered a significant loss in the process. In the first half of the game against the Cowboys, Greg Olsen suffered a foot injury that forced him to go to the locker room.
He returned to the sideline but did in a walking boot and with crutches. That injury now looks it will force Olsen to miss a few weeks. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, he tweeted that evaluations are still going on but it looks like he will be out awhile.
#Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) is expected to miss a significant chunk of time, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Evaluations ongoing to see how long he's out but it's clear he'll be down a while.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 11, 2018
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also tweeted that injured reserve is an option.
The Carolina Panthers shortly after these tweets released a statement that said Olsen re-fractured his right foot. However, he will not be having surgery and will be evaluated on a monthly basis.
This is a major blow to this offense as they were hoping Greg Olsen would be able to return after missing nine games last year due to a foot injury. Prior to 2017, Olsen was the definition of durable and productive. He didn’t miss a game in nine seasons and it was the first time since his rookie season.
In his six seasons with the Panthers, he produced at a high level and over a three year stretch from 2014 to 2016 he had over 77 receptions every year with at least 1,000 receiving yards. He was selected to the Pro Bowl each of those seasons.
This news is disappointing for the Panthers as they will now need to determine how to replace Olsen in the lineup. The backup tight end, Chris Manhertz, has missed all of preseason due an injury of his own but was active for Week 1.
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However, it would not be surprising to see the team to turn to rookie Ian Thomas as he provides a more dynamic passing option at the position. He had three receptions for 37 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown reception, this preseason. Regardless of what direction the Panthers go, it will be tough to replace the leadership and production Greg Olsen brought to this offense.