Panthers TE Greg Olsen (knee) returned to a limited practice on Thursday.  It confirms that he's on track to play against the Giants this weekend.  How close he'll be to 100% remains the question.  We'll see if Olsen remains limited Friday or puts in a full workout.

Panthers insider Joe Person confirms that TE Greg Olsen (knee) is expected to play against the Giants on Sunday.  Olsen didn't return to last week's game after going down and will be limited in practice this week, according to Person.  There's also a chance his snaps are limited this weekend if Carolina gets out to a big lead.  It's a reason to consider fading him in DFS, but Olsen remains a must-start in season-long leagues.

Panthers HC Ron Rivera said after Sunday's game that RB Jonathan Stewart (foot) and TE Greg Olsen (knee) are "fine."  It's confirmation that they were held out of the blowout win as a precaution.  Stewart and Olsen should be ready to roll for next week's game against the Giants.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen injured his knee in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's game against the Falcons.  He's officially questionable to return, but with Carolina up 28-0 at half, we'd be surprised if Olsen returned.  We'll update the severity of his injury when we learn more.

Panthers QB Cam Newton struggled in his 1st preseason game without WR Kelvin Benjamin, completing just 4 of 10 passes for 42 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT.  Newton's first 3 passes fell incomplete, and the 4th was picked off.  Three of his 4 completions were to TE Greg Olsen, who should pace Carolina in targets this year.  Note that WR Devin Funchess (hamstring) didn't play on Saturday night, but Newton's weaponry is a major concern heading into the season.  It leaves him as more of a low-end QB1.

The Panthers and TE Greg Olsen have agreed to a 3-year, $22.5 million contract extension.  It tacks on to the final year of Olsen's current deal, keeping him in Carolina through the 2018 season.  It's well-deserved.  Olsen has totaled 226 catches, 2,667 yards and 17 TDs over the past 3 seasons.  All 3 marks rank among the top 6 TEs.  He's finished 7th, 7th and 4th in PPR fantasy points during that stretch.  Olsen turns 30 in a few days but should have another couple of seasons of TE1 production in him.

The Panthers announced that QB Cam Newton suffered 2 transverse process fractures in his lower back in Tuesday's car accident.  It's the same injury Cowboys QB Tony Romo had earlier this season.  Romo ended up missing 1 game.  Carolina does still have an outside shot at a playoff berth, but we doubt they'll risk further injury to their franchise QB.  For now, consider Newton unlikely to play against the Bucs this weekend.  That'd leave QB Derek Anderson as the starter.  The 31-year-old actually started the season-opener against Tampa Bay, completing 24 of 34 passes for 230 yards with 2 TDs and 0 INTs.  WR Kelvin Benjamin posted a 6-92-1 line in that game, and TE Greg Olsen went 8-83-1.  Anderson shouldn't be in Week 15 fantasy lineups, but he's serviceable enough to keep the offense on track.  

Panthers HC Ron Rivera said TE Greg Olsen’s recent dip in production is because of added blocking responsibilities. Carolina’s needed the veteran to block more due to injuries along the O-line. As a result, he’s seen just 7 targets over the past 2 weeks. Olsen’s played 100% of the snaps in 3 of his last 4, though, and he remains one of Cam Newton’s go-to options. Rivera also said he's "hopeful" that all 3 injured starters along the O-line will return for Week 10 vs. Philadelphia.  Keep rolling with Olsen as a fantasy TE1.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (ankle) is active for today’s game against the Bengals. There’s been nothing to suggest that the ankle will be a problem. Get Olsen into fantasy lineups vs. the league’s 30^th-ranked TE defense.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (ankle) is listed as questionable for Week 6.  He only practiced on Friday, but there's been no indication that he's in danger of missing this weekend's game against the Bengals.  Pencil Olsen into fantasy lineups, but check back Sunday morning to make sure he's active.

The Panthers have signed TE Ed Dickson.  Since posting a 54-528-5 line for the Ravens in 2011, Dickson has totaled just 46 grabs, 498 yards and 1 score the past 2 seasons.  He finished 55th in Pro Football Focus' 2012 TE rankings and dead last in 2013.  Dickson will step in as Carolina's #2 TE behind Greg Olsen.  Ben Hartsock played that role last year and saw just 324 snaps and not a single target.  Dickson won't be a fantasy factor this season, despite Carolina's WR shortage.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) is active for today’s game against the Rams.  He played through the injury last week but managed just 2 catches for 19 yards.  He’s a risky fantasy starter today.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) is probable for this weekend’s game against the Rams.  He sat out Wednesday but practiced on Thursday and Friday.  It’s the same pattern he followed last week.  Olsen played 64 of 71 snaps last weekend but finished with season lows in targets (3), catches (2) and yards (19).  It's unclear how big an issue that foot injury was.  Consider Olsen a low-end TE1 for Week 7.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) returned to practice on Thursday.  It looks like he's on the same schedule as last week, when he sat out Wednesday before practicing on Thursday and Friday.  Olsen played 64 of 71 snaps last weekend but finished with season lows in targets (3), catches (2) and yards (19).  It's unclear how big an issue that foot injury was.  Consider Olsen a low-end TE1 for Week 7.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) missed practice today, but there doesn't seem to be any reason for worry.  Olsen missed Wednesday last week with the injury as well before taking part Thursday and Friday.  He started the Week 6 game and played 64 of 71 snaps.  Barring some setback, we expect Olsen to be good to go in Week 7.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen is active for today’s game against the Vikings.  He practiced on Thursday and Friday, so the foot shouldn’t be an issue.  Olsen is a strong fantasy option against Minnesota’s 32nd-ranked TE defense.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) is probable for this weekend’s game against the Vikings.  He was in a walking boot Monday and missed Wednesday’s practice.  But he returned for Thursday and Friday and is good to go for Sunday.  Olsen is a strong fantasy option against Minnesota’s 32^nd-ranked TE defense.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot/ankle) returned to practice on Thursday. He’s no longer in a walking boot and now has a good shot to suit up against Minnesota.  Continue to treat him as a low-end TE1. 

Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) was in a walking boot Monday and didn't practice on Wednesday.  But he's confident he'll be ready for this weekend's game against the Vikings.  "It's nothing significant," Olsen said of the injury.  "I don't expect to miss any time."  We'll continue to keep tabs on Olsen's status this week.  He has a tasty matchup against a Vikings team ranked dead-last in fantasy points allowed to TEs.

Panthers insider Steve Reed spotted TE Greg Olsen in a walking boot on his left foot on Monday.  Olsen played all 68 snaps against the Cardinals yesterday, and we didn't notice any injury.  The boot is likely a precautionary measure, but we'll keep an eye on Olsen's practice participation this week.