Despite his return to practice this week, the Carolina Panthers are being prudent with Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen.
He won't play against the Patriots on Friday night, in what's the third preseason game for each team. Olsen, who was out a week after suffering back spasms, was limited in Tuesday's practice before he was full-go on Wednesday. The Panthers fully expect him to play in Week 1 in Denver, but he'll likely be held out again next week in the preseason finale against the Steelers.
Meanwhile, the safety spot is even thinner than expected. Travell Dixon, who practiced twice this week after suffering a chest injury Saturday in Tennessee, won't be facing the Patriots. That leaves the Panthers with three healthy safeties: Kurt Coleman, Tre Boston and Colin Jones. Good thing they're bringing in at least two guys for workouts.
Here's the full list of Panthers sitting out Friday night:
- WR Philly Brown (shoulder)
- CB Teddy Williams (groin)
- S Dean Marlowe (hamstring)
- S Travell Dixon (chest)
- S Marcus Ball (undisclosed)
- S Trenton Robinson (pec)
- DE Rakim Cox (back)
- OL Chris Scott (shoulder)
- WR LaRon Byrd (concussion)
- TE Greg Olsen (back)