Olsen saw a team-high six targets, but wound up with just two catches for 28 yards Sunday in Tampa Bay.

Olsen is usually the focal point of Carolina's passing offense, but quarterback Cam Newton struggled to get the ball to his tight end all afternoon. Nonetheless, it was encouraging to see Olsen lead the team in targets a week after posting a monstrous 134 receiving yards on eight catches against the Saints. The Carolina Panthers will have two weeks to figure out how to get the ball back into Olsen's hands, as they have a bye before traveling to a rambunctious environment in Seattle for Week 6.

Olsen reeled in eight catches off of 11 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's win over New Orleans.

Coming into Sunday's game, Olsen had a combined seven receptions for 81 yards, totals he easily surpassed in Week 3. Olsen lined up tight and flexed out on Sunday, catching both of his touchdowns on 11-yard crosses and nabbing some downfield passes as well. Not surprisingly, Carolina's formerly mediocre passing attack rebounded as a result. Through three weeks Olsen leads the Panthers with 28 targets and, given the absence of bonafide threats on the outside, should remain the focal point of Carolina's passing offense.

Olsen caught 6-of-14 targets for 70 yards in Sunday's win over the Texans.

Sunday's performance was closer to the type of production we have become accustomed to from Olsen and was a nice return to form after a disappointing Week 1. He was still targeted just once in the red zone, but that can be attributed to the Panthers scoring on a pair of long passes and a quarterback keeper Sunday. Olsen should continue to be heavily involved in the offense, as he is one of Cam Newton's most trusted targets, and he will look to find the end zone for the first time this season against the Saints in Week 3.

Olsen was held to one catch for 11 yards, on three targets, in Sunday's victory at Jacksonville.

Olsen's quiet day is a little misleading, as he lost a touchdown catch due to a ticky-tack interference call, and another reception was taken away later. The Panthers recognize Olsen needs to be a featured part of their passing game - probably the featured element of the passing game - and even off a victory, they'll be working to correct this. Olsen draws Houston in Week 2.

Olsen caught three of four targets for 27 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins.

With Kelvin Benjamin (torn ACL) out for the season, Olsen shouldn't lack for volume but will likely have to deal with added attention from opposing defenses. He's one of the few tight ends with a realistic shot to lead his team in targets.

Olsen caught his only target for nine yards in Friday's preseason opener against the Bills.

Although Kelvin Benjamin dominated the first-team targets Friday night, there's no question Olsen will also have his share of Cam Newton's attention once the regular season begins. Even if a reliable third receiving option were to emerge, Olsen would still be a good bet to rank among the tight-end leaders in targets.

Olsen signed a three-year contract extension with the Panthers on Thursday, the team's official website reports.

Olsen will turn 30 on March 11, but he hasn't shown any signs of decline, and has arguably even improved in recent seasons. The new contract will run through 2018, ensuring that Olsen is one of Cam Newton's favorite targets for the foreseeable future. The veteran tight end posted career-high marks for receptions (84), targets (122) and receiving yards (1,008) in 2014.

Olsen enjoyed the best season of his seven-year career, totaling 84 receptions (on 122 targets), 1,008 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games played during the 2014 campaign.

Olsen's connection with quarterback Cam Newton has seemingly improved during each of the tight end's four seasons in Carolina and this season's numbers certainly support that development. Not only did Olsen's 84 catches lead the Panthers, but his 1,008 receiving yards tied for the team-lead and marked the best single-season total of his career. Additionally, with six touchdowns, Olsen has now found the end zone at least five times in every season after his 2007 rookie campaign. On the whole, the ever-reliable Olsen fulfilled preseason expectations that the Panthers' revamped receiving corp would result in Newton leaning on his trusted target Olsen more often than ever. Fortunately, the emergence of rookie wideout Kelvin Benjamin prevents opposing defenses from totally converging on Olsen in coverage, which should allow the tight end to enjoy similar success as one of fantasy's top players at his position again next season.

Olsen caught three passes for 37 yards against Arizona on Saturday.

Olsen's production was held back by the poor play of Cam Newton on Saturday, as the Panthers threw for just 198 yards, and both of Newton's touchdown passes were short passes to running backs. Newton needs to play better if Olsen's fantasy prospects are to improve in the next playoff round, but his own performances are as steady as they come. He'll go at whatever rate Newton does as a passer.

Olsen caught 2-of-3 targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 34-3 win at Atlanta.

Cam Newton threw just 16 times Sunday, so it's not like any other Panthers' pass catcher did anything. Olsen could have a big game in the first round of the playoffs, facing a Cardinals' defense that has really struggled to stop opposing TEs. Furthermore, given that Carolina plays at home and Arizona has fizzled down the stretch due to instability at QB, there's a reasonable chance that Olsen will play at least two games in the playoffs.

Olsen had one catch on three targets for 21 yards Sunday against the Browns.

Coming off one of his best games of the season (10 catches on 13 targets for 110 yards against the Bucs), Olsen put up an absolute dud, with his 21 yards his second-lowest total of the season. He's a boom-or-bust type player that went the wrong way Sunday, but he'll look to bounce back in Week 17 against the Falcons, who are allowing the most passing yards per game this season.

Olsen (knee) had 10 catches on 13 targets for 110 yards during Sunday's win over the Buccaneers.

Despite the change in quarterback to Derek Anderson, with Cam Newton out with a back injury, Olsen posted his second consecutive game with 10 catches. He's been very solid in two games with Anderson under center, catching 18 passes on 24 targets for 193 yards and a touchdown, both contests coming against Tampa Bay. Up next is a Week 16 matchup against the Browns, and while it remains unclear who will be the starting quarterback, Olsen has shown an ability to produce with either option.

Olsen (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Olsen has been a reliable target all year long for the Panthers, and the absence of Cam Newton due to a back injury this week isn't overly concerning - Olsen racked up eight catches for 83 yards and a score in Week 1 this season, a game in which Derek Anderson started for the Panthers. Feel free to roll with Olsen as you normally would.

Olsen (knee) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Olsen had another strong game last week and will look to keep up his season-long consistency Sunday against Tampa Bay's mediocre pass defense. The biggest downside for Olsen this week is the absence of Cam Newton, who had been targeting his top tight end frequently. Here's hoping Derek Anderson will continue to look Olsen's way often.

Olsen (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Olsen's knee injury is ailing him for a second consecutive week, but the tight end has shrugged off injuries on occasion this season and still produced at an elite level. On Sunday, he'll attempt to repeat his Week 1 performance against a Buccaneers' squad that allowed him to romp for eight catches (on 11 targets) for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Olsen (undisclosed) didn't take part in practice Wednesday, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.

Olsen dealt with a knee injury last week, which may have lingered into the current week of preparation. The ailment didn't quell his relevance in the passing game, though, as he racked up 10 catches (on 11 targets) for 72 yards and one touchdown in Week 14. While the impetus for Wednesday's absence should be revealed in the near future, expect his availability for Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers to clear up by week's end.

Olsen (knee) had 10 catches on 11 targets for 72 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 41-10 win over the Saints.

Olsen tied a season-high with his 11 targets, a mark he's reached four different times this season. His touchdown ended a six-game scoreless drought, and he's now been targeted 31 times in the last three games. With that many passes being thrown his way, particularly in the red zone, Olsen is peaking at a solid time for fantasy owners. Up next is a Week 15 matchup against a Bucs defense that Olsen had eight catches on 11 targets for 83 yards and a touchdown against back in Week 1.

Olsen (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Despite Carolina's offensive struggles, Olsen's usage and production has remained fairly reliable this season, and he will be safe to deploy against New Orleans' 28th-ranked pass defense.

Olsen (knee, questionable) should be able to play Sunday against the Saints, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer.

Previous reports noted that coach Ron Rivera expected Olsen to play in the contest, with confirmation of the tight end's Week 14 status set to arrive as Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff approaches.

Olsen (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, but head coach Ron Rivera expects him to play, the Charlotte Observer's Joe Person reports.

In a frustrating season for the Panthers, Olsen keeps chugging along, averaging 80 receiving yards over his last three games. He hasn't scored since Week 6, however, and the Saints have allowed just one opposing tight end to score since Week 1.