Panthers TE Olsen undergoes surgery on broken right foot

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen underwent surgery Monday on his broke right foot, but it's still too early to tell how long he will be off the field.

X-rays on Sunday revealed the Panthers three-time Pro Bowl tight end suffered a broken right foot in Carolina's 9-3 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and is expected to miss significant playing time.

Olsen has never missed a game due to injury during his previous 10 NFL seasons.

Ron Rivera confirms TE Greg Olsen has had surgery on his broken foot. Says info he got was that "it went well" #Panthers pic.twitter.com/CkftLGlGxU
— Matt Harris (@MHarrisWSOC9) September 18, 2017

[HOME OPENER: Peppers, Panthers' defense stymies Bills 9-3]

"I haven't missed a game in a long time, so on one hand it sucks, but on one hand I am very thankful that I have been as lucky as I have been," said Olsen, who was in a walking boot after the game. "A lot of guys have dealt with a lot more stuff than I have throughout their careers. ... Unfortunately it looks like (that streak) is going to have to come to an end."

He felt "something pop" in his foot in the first half while running a route. He tried to go back in but knew something was wrong.

"I didn't touch anybody," Olsen said. "I didn't get hit. It's just the way my foot went down."

[IMAGES: Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers]

The injury is expected to sideline Olsen between six to eight weeks. Panthers coach Ron Rivera wouldn't give a timeline on Monday on how long the 32-year-old tight end will be out.

But Rivera said surgery went well.

"Yes, I can confirm it, my understanding is things went well and we'll see from there. I haven't had a chance to talk to RV about anything else other than I just got the text saying that it had gone well," Rivera said during Monday's news conference.

General manager Marty Hurney said the Panthers will know more as they move forward, but wouldn't speculate how long Olsen will be out.

If the Panthers decide to place Olsen on the injured reserve list, it guarantees that he will miss the next eight weeks, per NFL rules.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton hopes Olsen might be able to return this season.

"Obviously you are tormented when something like that happens, but the optimism of it is we will still have him at some point of the year," Newton said. "I have full faith that Ed (Dickson) is going to do his job and guys underneath him, too. And I know Greg will coach those guys up."

The injury could cost Olsen some money. The Panthers restructured his deal this offseason and were ready to pay him an additional $2 million if he reached certain incentives.

More importantly, the Panthers will need to find a way to replace Olsen's productivity. Olsen last year became the first NFL tight end to post three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

The Panthers are expected to lean more heavily on rookie running back Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield.

"We're not gonna change the offense now that Greg's out. Ed's more than capable. We have to stick to what we do." #Panthers pic.twitter.com/dTkYqCx7Hq
— Matt Harris (@MHarrisWSOC9) September 18, 2017

Ed Dickson, who already sees significant time as a blocker because the team doesn't have a true fullback on the roster, and third-string tight end Chris Manhertz could also see more action.

Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard said it is a huge loss for the Panthers (2-0).

"He has 3,000 yards over the last three years, so that goes somewhere," Shepard said. "Offensively we need to make up for it. We need to come together. We need some more production from our receivers and tight ends."

Olsen said he's disappointed, but trying to stay positive.

"I have always prided myself on being out there and playing," Olsen said. "Sometimes things are out of your control."

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