Carolina Panthers down two starters and two receivers for Sunday
The Carolina Panthers have ruled four players out for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen hauled in two passes for 33 yards one week ago to open regular season play. Unfortunately, on the second, he stepped on a defender’s foot and hurt the same foot that caused him to miss nine games during the 2017 season.
Exiting to the locker room, Olsen reappeared on the sidelines in street clothes, a walking boot and aided by the use of crutches. At that moment it was apparent Carolina would again be without their best tight end and one of quarterback Cam Newton‘s favorite targets for a significant amount of time.
Olsen wasn’t placed on the Injured Reserve list, remaining active but unavailable, and is set to be evaluated on a monthly basis. He was one of four Panthers ruled out for the first NFC South divisional game of the year against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
The other starter joining Olsen on the sidelines will be right guard Trai Turner. Carolina has undergone a significant amount of turnover and shuffling along the offensive line and it continued this week with Turner being placed into the concussion protocol midweek.
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Turner played every snap of the game against Dallas, but apparently reported to the facility at some point during the week and was evaluated for a concussion. The late onset of symptoms is eerily similar to that of former Carolina tackle, Michael Oher, who entered the concussion protocol on Friday before facing Atlanta in Week 4 of 2016 and never returned.
Joining these two key contributors are a pair of wide receivers that Carolina was counting on to bolster the options available for Newton. Curtis Samuel, in his second season, missed last week due to a medical procedure correcting an irregular heartbeat and hasn’t practiced since.
Speedy return man and receiver Damiere Byrd had a nice 30-yard punt return in game one, but was replaced after suffering a knee injury. He too missed an entire week of practice and has also been ruled out for the week.
No real surprises, but it will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Norv Turner elects to operate the offense missing another key lineman and multiple receiving options. Expect running backs Christian McCaffrey and C.J. Anderson to see an increase in their workload against the Falcons.
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The Panthers and Falcons kick off on Sunday, September 16 at 1:00pm ET.