Carolina Panthers Greg Olsen may return to starting lineup soon

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen is ‘way ahead of the curve’ on his path to recovery.

Greg Olsen missed nine games last season with a fractured right foot and after a productive offseason, was in line for a bounce back 2018 season. On the heels of three consecutive 1,000-plus yard receiving seasons last year, the Carolina Panthers tight end was hoping to extend his NFL leading streak to a fourth but the injury derailed any chance of making it happen.

Poised for a strong return, his opportunity for getting back to such production was hampered by a Week 1 re-aggravation of the same injury when Olsen stepped on the foot of a Dallas Cowboys defender while running a route. In typical Olsen fashion, he completed the catch, fighting for extra yardage before exiting the game to the locker room and reappearing on the sideline in street clothes, a walking boot and under the assistance of crutches.

Almost one month ago, Olsen has missed just two games to this point aided by an early bye week. A similar timetable for a return to last season would put Olsen returning in Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks and before Carolina plays four of their six scheduled divisional contests.

While that would mean missing another nine games, Olsen told ESPN staff writer David Newton that he is “way ahead of the curve” in terms of recovery. Speaking before one of his charity events in Charlotte, Olsen offered the following comments to Newton.

"“Yeah, I’m way ahead of the curve. Last year at two weeks I was laying in my bed in a cast. I couldn’t do anything … It’s just a matter of seeing each week how your foot responds and just try to add a little more, a little more. What that time frame is, we’re optimistic. Hopefully, it’s sooner rather than later.”"

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How soon Olsen returns may also be attributed to how Carolina is performing without him on the field. Rookie Ian Thomas has been filling in for the veteran captain and while no one can fully replace his productivity or rapport with quarterback Cam Newton, if the Panthers keep winning then there will be no rush for him to return.

A Week 9 matchup with Tampa Bay would be a good place to start, getting him back in the lineup for the second divisional game of the season, but it falls prior to a Thursday night game at Pittsburgh which would mean a short week of recovery.

The good news is that Olsen has dealt with this injury before and understands where he is at in terms of getting back to playing. All fans hope to see him on the field again soon but there is no reason to rush.

Next. Why Signing Eric Reid Makes Sense. dark

At least not at this point in the season.

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