CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Cam Newton settled into his locker after the Panthers' 16-8, season-opening win over the Cowboys on Sunday, he blasted and vibed with Beyonce’s "Irreplaceable" (again), perhaps without realizing the irony.
Carolina began its season on a promising note, but with the win came injuries to tight end Greg Olsen and right tackle Daryl Williams, both key members of the offense.
"You guys know how I feel about Greg — you can’t ever replace him," Newton said. "His professionalism that he brings to the game, his overall outlook, his IQ, his understanding ..."
Olsen and Williams were essentially game-time decisions for Week 1, and they both suffered injuries to familiar body parts. Olsen was questionable because of a sore back, but he re-fractured the same right foot that was broken in Week 2 last season. He hopes to return at some point this year.
Williams missed the entire preseason with a right knee injury, and he was carted off in the fourth quarter after hurting the same knee.
"Just seeing Nostrils (Newton’s nickname for Williams) go down, too, I know how hard he worked to battle back, and I hope it’s not as bad as it seemed,” Newton said. "I’m optimistic about both of their injuries, but we’ll be good. This is the NFL, where injuries do happen.
"You're only as good as your weakest link, and I say that with all due respect of knowing the 'next man up' approach."
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Olsen caught two passes for 33 yards in the first quarter before going down. He stood on the Panthers’ sideline during the second half and observed while wearing a walking boot and holding crutches.
A visibly distraught Olsen declined to talk to reporters after the game, but other teammates were willing to speak on what the loss of the tight end means.
"It’s tough," running back Christian McCaffrey admitted. "He's worked so hard to get back after last year and finish the season and this whole offseason working so hard to be healthy. To see that is tough, and we’re gonna miss him while he’s gone, but I know he’s going to do everything in his power to come back as fast as possible."
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Despite the injuries, there seemed to be a positive energy around a team that had just started the season 1-0.
Newton kept the Cowboys' defense off balance throughout the game with 58 rushing yards and a touchdown. Carolina's defense held Dallas scoreless until the fourth quarter and never let the backfield duo of QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott get in an early rhythm.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera spoke of his team's depth and adaptability. He hopes it stays on that path over the course of an entire season.
"I said it to the guys, it’s about the depth we have right now. If something happens, you have to be the next guy to step up, you have to be ready to play," Rivera said. "I really appreciated the way the guys came in and played and did their best to give us an opportunity.
"Again, it does speak well that we have some depth and some good positions, and we have some things that we have to continue to work on to get better at."