Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been rounding into form over the early weeks of the season, after sitting out almost all of the preseason as he rehabbed shoulder surgery.

But as he works his way back to 100 percent – which may still be a ways off given the drilling he took against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday – Newton will be without his most trusted target.

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen suffered a right foot injury in the first half against the Bills, and spent the rest of the game on crutches on the sideline.

In the locker room postgame, he told reporters he has a broken bone in the foot.

“Just running, planted my foot and I felt it pop. Knew something was up,” Olsen said. “I knew something wasn’t right. Came in and took, an X-ray, it was straightforward. It’s disappointing, obviously – I’ve always prided myself on being out there and playing, just sometimes things are out of your control.”

It is unclear at this point how long Olsen will be out; he said he will be evaluated by doctors on Monday and expects to miss “a lot of games.” Though he appears upset, Olsen quickly noted that his Panthers team is 2-0.

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Olsen isn’t kidding about “being out there”: now in his 11th NFL season, he has only missed two games in his career, and those were in his rookie season with Chicago in 2007. Over the last three seasons he’s been indispensable for Newton and the Carolina offense, topping 75 catches and 1,000 yards each year. Not surprisingly, he’s been a Pro Bowler each of those years as well.

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