This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
Olsen's broken foot was the most noteworthy injury in a week in which tight ends across the NFL fell victim to a variety of ailments. Olsen has already undergone surgery to fix the fracture site with renowned orthopedic surgeon and foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson performing the procedure. Olsen is expected to miss between six and eight weeks recovering and could be placed on the injured reserve with a designation to return. Olson would miss an automatic eight weeks if Carolina does opt to put him on the IR.
It's hard to speculate on Olsen's recovery without knowing the exact bone involved. So far, the Panthers haven't publically released which particular bone was broken. However, given the projected timeline and the mechanism of injury, it seems likely Olson broken his fifth metatarsal. Injuries to this lateral bone of the foot are becoming increasingly common in NFL wideouts with multiple players including Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Julian Edelman and Sammy Watkins sustaining the injury in recent seasons. The location of the break is key as certain areas of the bone can take longer to heal due to a limited supply of blood. Secondary procedures are common, potentially increasing Olsen's level of risk upon his return.
In the meantime, the Panthers will lean heavily on Ed Dickson and could rotate wide receiver Devin Funchess into the tight end spot. Funchess has experience at the position having played tight end during his collegiate career at the University of Michigan.
Olsen's broken foot was the most noteworthy injury in a week in which tight ends across the NFL fell victim to a variety of ailments. Olsen has already undergone surgery to fix the fracture site with renowned orthopedic surgeon and foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson performing the procedure. Olsen is expected to miss between six and eight weeks recovering and could be placed on the injured reserve with a designation to return. Olson would miss an automatic eight weeks if Carolina does opt to put him on the IR.
It's hard to speculate on Olsen's recovery without knowing the exact bone involved. So far, the Panthers haven't publically released which particular bone was broken. However, given the projected timeline and the mechanism of injury, it seems likely Olson broken his fifth metatarsal. Injuries to this lateral bone of the foot are becoming increasingly common in NFL wideouts with multiple players including Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Julian Edelman and Sammy Watkins sustaining the injury in recent seasons. The location of the break is key as certain areas of the bone can take longer to heal due to a limited supply of blood. Secondary procedures are common, potentially increasing Olsen's level of risk upon his return.
In the meantime, the Panthers will lean heavily on Ed Dickson and could rotate wide receiver Devin Funchess into the tight end spot. Funchess has experience at the position having played tight end during his collegiate career at the University of Michigan.
The Washington tight end added a new injury to his already extensive injury history after sustaining a very specific shoulder sprain in Week 2. Reed is no stranger to shoulder injuries having already needed surgery to address a high-grade sprain of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, the area where the clavicle (collarbone) touches the scapula (shoulder blade). Now Reed has sprained the opposite end of the collarbone at the junction where it meets the sternum. This joint is known as the sternoclavicular (SC) articulation and, with the help of a small cartilage disk, allows the clavicle to move in multiple planes. SC joint injuries can be extremely traumatic, as the trachea and several major blood vessels run directly behind the clavicle. These structures can be damaged if the collarbone dislocates backward or posteriorly. Wide receiver Danny Amendola suffered this type of injury during the 2012 season and missed three weeks.
Reed's injury doesn't appear to be nearly as complex as Amendola's but is still problematic. SC joint injuries can be very painful, resulting in a functional limitation of the shoulder. Reed's current status is day-to-day, but look for him to be limited throughout the week. It wouldn't be overly surprising to see him suited up for Week 3, but this latest injury is just another red flag for a player with a propensity for getting hurt.
The Vikings quarterback did not play Sunday in the team's loss to the Steelers. Bradford reported pain and swelling in his surgically repaired left knee though his new injury doesn't involve the ACL. Bradford is reportedly dealing with a bone bruise in the knee, a problem that is more significant than it sounds.
The bones of the body are comprised of multiple layers of tissue. If trauma results in damage to the periosteum, the outer layer of the bone, the injury is classified as a bone bruise or contusion. Bone contusions can occur in a variety of locations but are most problematic if they involve the weight-bearing surface of the joint. Bone contusions of the kneecap often require even more time to adequately heal due to the movement during joint motion.
Bradford underwent an injection in the area, and how he responds to treatment will dictate his Week 3 availability. Keep a close eye on his level of participation in this week's practice, but it would be wise to consider other options for the immediate future.
Turf Burns
Corey Coleman: The Browns wide receiver will miss time for the second consecutive season with a fractured metacarpal. Last season, Coleman missed six games with a nondisplaced metacarpal fracture. However, his new injury required surgery to mend, and he's expected to go on the IR. As a result, he will miss a minimum of eight weeks. The metacarpal bones make up the palm of the hand and bridge the wrist and fingers. The success rate of surgery is high and Coleman should be fine upon his return.
Rob Gronkowski: Gronk's monster Week 2 was cut short by a mild groin injury. The New England tight end downplayed the issue that occurred in the third quarter of the team's win over New Orleans. It looks as though the Patriots were simply playing it safe with Gronkowski, and fantasy owners should plan on having him in the lineup on Sunday against the Texans.
Jordan Howard: The Chicago Bears running back entered the season as a top fantasy selection with an ADP of 18. However, he's failed to build on last year's success and has totaled just 59 rushing yards through two weeks. A shoulder injury reportedly is part of the problem, but details on the issue are sparse. It's hard to bench a top pick, but fantasy owners should explore all available options until Howard produces with some semblance of consistency.
Rob Kelley: If Reed's health status wasn't bad enough, Washington's primary running back is also nursing an injury. Kelley also is considered day-to-day after suffering a rib injury against the Rams.
The rib cage includes 24 ribs (12 on each side), the sternum, the thoracic vertebrae of the spine and a specialized type of connective tissue known as costal cartilage. Costal cartilage allows the upper seven pairs of ribs to attach directly to the sternum. This connective tissue is precisely what Kelley injured.
Individuals that endure trauma to the costal cartilage often report sharp pain with activity particularly with breathing and trunk movement. Fortunately, it appears Kelley sustained a costal cartilage contusion and not a true fracture. He will spend the next few days managing the pain and could receive an injection prior to the team's upcoming game against the Raiders. A flak jacket would help protect the area but make his midsection bulkier in the process. This could slightly increase his chances of fumbling the ball. If Kelley is forced out of the lineup, rookie Samaje Perine would become the feature back with Chris Thompson remaining in his current PPR-friendly role.
Jordy Nelson: The Packers are calling Nelson's status for Week 3 "50/50" after the Pro Bowl wide receiver suffered a quadriceps strain over the weekend. The involved leg is on the same side that required ACL surgery. The injury itself isn't overly alarming, but Green Bay could easily take the conservative approach with their star and hold him out at least a week to insure his long-term health. Remember Nelson has previously undergone hip surgery and has several other lower extremity injuries that should be considered. Look for this to be a game-time decision.
Cam Newton: The Panthers quarterback suffered an ankle sprain against the Bills as his early season struggles continued. However, the injury is reportedly mild and shouldn't affect his status moving forward even though it involves the ankle he had surgically repaired in 2014. While his numbers have been a tad disappointing through two weeks of play, don't forget he's still working his way back from surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff. Look for this arm strength to improve, along with his fantasy production, as the season progresses.
