Greg Olsen will miss a minimum of eight games after the Carolina Panthers placed the three-time Pro Bowl tight end on injured reserve with a broken right foot. The earliest Olsen is eligible to return is November 26, when Panthers visit the New York Jets.
Panthers trainer Ryan Vermillion told the team website that Olsen has a "Jones fracture," meaning he broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
The injury occurred during the second quarter of Carolina's 9-3 win over Buffalo and he had surgery on Monday.
The injury ends Olsen's streak of 160 consecutive games played. It is the second longest active streak among tight ends behind Dallas' Jason Witten (221). Carolina replaced Olsen on the 53-man roster with rookie fullback Alex Armah from the practice squad.
Olsen, a three-time Pro Bowler, is Cam Newton's go-to target on third down and in the red zone. He can line up in the slot, out wide, and line up along the offensive line to block. Olsen is an all-around tight end who can do anything on the field.
Ed Dickson will likely take over as the Panthers' starting tight end in the interim. Olsen's absence could also mean more work for Devin Funchess, the third-year receiver who played tight end at Michigan.
Either way, Cam Newton's job just got a whole lot harder with his favorite underneath target on the shelf.
