NFC Notes: Panthers, Redskins, Saints

Panthers

Panthers HC Ron Rivera told reporters on Friday that they’re excited about TE Greg Olsen‘s return from injured reserve.

“It’s exciting,” Rivera said of Olsen’s return, via Panthers.com. “He’s obviously a part of what we do, and we haven’t had him for a while. We just feel good about getting him back, especially going into this final stretch of the season.”

Even so, Rivera added that they still plan to be cautious with Olsen moving forward.

“We’re going to try to do it judiciously,” Rivera said. “We’ve got to save him from himself and save him from us. You get a guy like that, you want to keep him out there as much as you can. But just knowing his conditioning and football shape isn’t where it needs to be right now. … You don’t want to throw Greg out there and have him go 60 plays. So we really have to be smart.”

Redskins

On Friday, Redskins HC Jay Gruden told reporters that he isn’t sure when TE Jordan Reed (hamstring) will return to the team this season.

“I don’t know if he’ll be back this week or next week or four weeks,” Gruden said.

John Keim of ESPN reports that while it’s unlikely Reed will suit up for next Thursday’s game against the Cowboys, he’s still expected to be back at some point this year.

Saints

Nick Underhill of the Advocate takes a look at some Saints’ players who could earn incentive bonuses over the remainder of the season.

• DE Cameron Jordan has sack incentives including $250,000 (13 sacks), $750,000 (15 sacks), and $1.25 million (17 sacks)
• LB Craig Robertson earns bonuses for percent of the snaps including $100,000 (40 percent), $300,000 (50 percent), $700,000 (60 percent), $1,1 million (70 percent) and $1.5 million (80 percent)
• LB Manti Te’o has percent of the snaps incentives including $200,000 (65 percent), $500,000 (75 percent), and $1 million (85 percent)
• OL Senio Kelemete can make $200,000 (50 percent) $400,000 (60 percent) and $600,000 (70 percent)