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Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen broke his right foot in the first quarter of the 16-8 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
The team said on Tuesday that there was no plan for Olsen at the moment and that it would be evaluated on a monthly basis.
Olsen broke his foot a year ago in the second week against the Buffalo Bills. He was operated on for this fracture and missed nine games.
On Sunday, Olsen returned to the sideline in the second half on crutches and in a walking boot.
Also on Tuesday, the Panthers announced that offensive tackle Daryl Williams injured his right knee during the match when a Cowboys player fell on him. Williams left the field in a golf cart with less than 10 minutes to play. At the start of the camp, Williams suffered a torn MCL and dislocated his right kneecap.
Surgery is recommended for Williams, and the Panthers should place him on an injured reserve, a league source told ESPN. Amini Silatolu, who replaced Williams on Sunday, should get the first shot at work. Corey Robinson recently acquired could also figure in the equation.
Olsen, 33, signed in April a two-year extension for the 2020 season. He was a late addition to the injury report on Saturday with a stiff back, but he was able to start.
Olsen, the first tight winger in NFL history to play three consecutive 1,000-yard (2014-16) seasons, had two catches for 33 yards before leaving the game.
Ian Thomas, the tight winger of the rookie, will be the first to replace Olsen as an end of the season at the reception. Chris Manhertz is the only other tight end of the lineup, so expect Carolina to add another player to this position.
Olsen, in an interview with ESPN during training camp, said he could not imagine there would be a more complete end of race than Thomas's.
"Ian has all the traits to be a real tight end of the NFL," said Olsen, "he's strong enough, he can get into the line of scrimmage, he's smoother. He catches the ball well, so I think Ian has a chance to have all the traits to be a complete guy.
"There are a handful of players in the league who are asked to play every game, Ian is a guy who has those qualities early on."
Coach Ron Rivera said Monday that Thomas was "rather well prepared" to play the role of Olsen.
"There are certain things, of course, that he still has to learn, and he has a long way to go to have the natural feeling of Greg and have that relationship," Rivera said. his blocking, he was good with his course, he was good with his reception. But he needs to improve as a road racer, blocker and receiver. This is a young man. He must learn a lot from his game. "
David Newton of ESPN contributed to this report.
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