Talent and opportunity often set up a player for success in the NFL.
New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen has the skill set. But his chance to see action during his rookie season in 2016 didn't happen because of a foot injury, which landed him on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
Fast forward a summer later and Loewen combined talent and opportunity to make an impact in the preseason opener with two tackles, 1 1/2 sacks on just 23 defensive snaps in the Saints' 20-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
"It felt good to get out there with the guys because all of last year I was with the team," said Loewen, who joined the Saints last year as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas.