CHARLOTTE -- If everything holds in place, tight end Greg Olsen will make his return to the lineup after missing 8 games with a foot injury.

His return has been highly anticipated by fans, and even the media as Olsen is just about ready to stop talking, and start playing again

Olsen, who had not missed a game in his entire career, is ready to get back on the field after a broken foot cost him the better part of 8 games this season guardedly optimistic.

While the Panthers went 5-3 without Olsen in the lineup, there is no mistaking his value to the offense.

He and Cam newton have spent a lot of time together on the field, and head coach Ron Rivera expects that connection to look like it has in the past.

Olsen has been working with trainers throughout his rehab, but as game time approaches, the body of prep work is under the microscope, to determine if Olsen will be cleared for Sunday and how much action he will see.

But which will speak louder, the tape, or Olsen himself?

And for the 3-time Pro Bowler, one would expect those conversations to be very brief.