Panthers’ tight end Olsen breaks foot
CHARLOTTE, N.C. » The Panthers will be without three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen and second-team All-Pro Bowl right tackle Daryl Williams for the foreseeable future.
The team announced Tuesday that Olsen re-fractured the same right foot that kept him out of nine games last season in Carolina’s 16-8 win over Dallas on Sunday. Olsen will not have surgery and will be re-evaluated on a “monthly basis.” He’ll remain on the team’s roster in hopes that he can return later in the season as he did a year ago.
Williams suffered an undisclosed knee injury and will need surgery.
Ranked as the top right tackle in the NFL last season by Pro Football Focus, Williams is likely headed for injured reserve. He tore the MCL and dislocated the patella in his right knee in training camp, but fought back to play in the season opener.
Rookie Ian Thomas is expected to replace Olsen in the starting lineup, while Amini Silatolu is next in line to take over at tackle.
Unlike last year, the 33-year-old Olsen opted not to have surgery.
He posted a statement on Twitter Tuesday that he is optimistic that his season is not over.
Falcons place Pro Bowl LB Jones on IR with foot injury
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. » The Atlanta Falcons placed linebacker Deion Jones on injured reserve on Tuesday, taking a second 2017 Pro Bowler from the defense in less than a week.
The move with Jones comes after coach Dan Quinn on Friday announced safety Keanu Neal suffered a torn ligament in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season.
Jones hurt his foot in Thursday night’s 18-12 opening loss at Philadelphia.
Quinn said Tuesday Jones will require surgery, but is expected to return this season.
“We are bummed for Deion, but we do expect to get him back at some point this season,” Quinn said in a statement.
Jones led the defense with nine tackles, one interception and two passes defensed against the Eagles. It was his seventh career interception.
Steelers QB Roethlisberger, CB Haden dealing with injuries
PITTSBURGH » The Pittsburgh Steelers will be a little short-handed as they prepare for their home opener against Kanas City.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, cornerback Joe Haden and guard David DeCastro could all miss practice time after getting dinged up in a season-opening tie in Cleveland.
Roethlisberger is dealing with a right (throwing) elbow issue, Haden has a hamstring problem and DeCastro fractured one of his hands during the four-hour marathon in a monsoon.
The injuries don’t appear to be serious, with Haden the most likely candidate to sit out if his hamstring doesn’t recover in time.