Panthers tight end Greg Olsen suffered what he called a broken foot in Sunday’s second quarter.

Greg Olsen in a boot. Says he broke his foot pic.twitter.com/8aO19V19hS — Kelsey Riggs (@KelseyRiggsWCNC) September 17, 2017

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said after the game he did not have further information on the injury, which occurred away from the play. But if Olsen’s foot is broken, by video it appears it is likely a fifth metatarsal fracture commonly called a Jones fracture. It seemed to be a routine route without contact.

Commonly, there is a weakness in the bone that develops in a watershed area of the bone with lack of blood supply. This explains the minimal trauma that was needed. It is likely there was an underlying stress fracture weakness prior to the play.


This injury typically requires surgery with a screw being inserted down the shaft of the bone. Healing can be as early as six to eight weeks, like Julian Edelman and Dez Bryant. However, it also carries a higher risk of a second surgery. Both Edelman and Bryant needed follow-up offseason surgery after finishing the season. It can be a problem fracture, as evidenced by Sammy Watkins’ two-year saga for his Jones fracture.

The Panthers will likely place Olsen on injured reserve with the hope of him returning this season to ensure he is healthy rather than trying to rush him back.

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