Greg Olsen is in good spirits again, at least in his coach’s eyes.
But whether Olsen is well enough to play against San Diego in next Sunday’s season opener remains unknown.
The Bears rookie tight end sprained his left knee in Thursday’s exhibition loss to the Cleveland Browns and continues to recover, Bears coach Lovie Smith said Saturday.
“He still has the same knee sprain,” Smith said. “He’s getting treatment daily. The smile is coming back on his face, so we’re optimistic.”
In addressing Olsen’s status for the Chargers, Smith maintained the same stance he took after Thursday’s exhibition.
“I hope he will not [miss the game],” Smith said, “but whenever you don’t finish a game, you know there’s cause for concern.”
Smith was somewhat evasive when asked if Olsen underwent an MRI. On Friday, Olsen’s father said the player had met with team doctors. It typically takes two to four weeks to recover from a sprained knee.
“We’re evaluating him, so everything you go through as far as evaluation to see exactly what’s happening with the knee, we’ve done,” Smith said.
Olsen was injured with 2 minutes 10 seconds left before halftime Thursday. He caught a short pass from Kyle Orton before Browns linebacker Clifton Smith slammed him to the ground.
Olsen had the knee heavily wrapped and in a brace after the game. The first-round draft pick was second on the team in receptions during exhibitions, catching nine passes for 75 yards with a long play of 23 yards.
Olsen is listed second on the depth chart behind Desmond Clark. If Olsen is out an extended period of time, veteran reserve John Gilmore will become a more integral part of the offense, particularly in two-tight-end sets.
