Greg Olsen back at practice

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs the ball during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers star TE Greg Olsen was unable to practice yesterday with a foot injury that limited his effectiveness on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Olsen had to have a walking boot last week, and the walking boot returned yesterday. However, the Charlotte Observer’s Joe Person reports that Olsen was able to return to practice today, and Dwan Edwards was also able to return to practice. Of course, RB Jonathan Stewart is still absent, and he’ set to miss a few more weeks with his ankle issues.

Olsen is fully expected to play this week against the St. Louis Rams now that he is practicing today, but it’s fair to wonder how effective Olsen will be. He caught a season-low two passes for 19 yards last week and was visibly worse due to the foot injury. Olsen is one of the league’s best pass-catching tight ends and is an incredibly important player in the Carolina Panthers offense, so we’ll see if he gets enough targets and is health enough to be effective.

So far this season, the 28-year-old Miami product has caught 23 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown, and he is usually a sure bet to have a consistent week. We’ll see if he has a second straight off week due to the injury, and it is unclear if he has been able to shed the walking boot.

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