CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Greg Olsen was excited about this NFL season. He felt better than he had in several years, ready to contribute to the Carolina Panthers like he did when he became the first tight end in league history to have three straight seasons with 1,000 yards receiving, from 2014-16.
Then in the first quarter of Sunday's opener at Bank of America Stadium, in the time it took for the three-time Pro Bowl selection to accidentally step on the right foot of Dallas safety Kavon Frazier with the right foot he had surgically repaired a year ago, excitement turned to disappointment.