The Carolina Panthers officially placed tight end Greg Olsen on injured reserve Tuesday after he underwent surgery on a broken right foot.
The designation ensures the veteran will be sidelined for at least eight weeks before he can return.
Olsen suffered a Jones fracture, breaking the fifth metatarsal on his right foot. Repairing the injury required inserting a screw into his foot.
"The only thing that he has to do now is heal," team trainer Ryan Vermillion said.
Olsen suffered the injury in a 9-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Quarterback Cam Newton will be without his top target from a year ago, when Olsen led the team with 80 receptions and 1,073 yards, and added three touchdowns.
Eight-year pro Ed Dickson will see more work as a result.
