:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61664561/usa_today_11217651.0.jpg)
AS EXPECTED Greg Olsen is OUT on Sunday
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 5, 2018
The Carolina Panthers could get an offensive boost when they play the New York Giants. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that All-Pro tight end Greg Olsen might make his return from injury this Sunday.
From @GMFB: #Panthers TE Greg Olsen has a chance to make an impressive comeback this week, while #Chargers WR Travis Benjamin is out 2-3 weeks with a foot injury. pic.twitter.com/ADkGpq3maR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 5, 2018
Olsen fractured his foot in the Panthers week one victory over the Dallas Cowboys. It was the same foot which had been surgically repaired following a Jones fracture at the start of the 2017 season. Olsen managed to avoid surgery and the injured reserve and his return could provide a major boost to a Panthers passing offense which as relied heavily on running back Christian McCaffrey.
If he is able to return this week and be anything like the Greg Olsen with whom the NFL has become familiar, that would be bad news for a Giants’ defense which has been 22nd in the league against tight ends.
The good news, for the Giants anyway, is that risk of re-injury makes a week six return more likely for Olsen. As well as the fact that foot injuries can be problematic for receivers, and the original fracture is similar to the ones once suffered by Hakeem Nicks and Dez Bryant.
That being said, it would be foolish for the defense to plan for anything other than Olsen to be playing and at full strength.