The Carolina Panthers are set to begin the 2018 season at home with an intriguing matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.

There was some initial doubt as to whether or not the Panthers would have the services of Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen for the season opener after he was present in the team's injury report due to a back injury.

However, it seems as though that move was more of a precaution and that Olsen is expected to play against the Cowboys, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

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The Panthers are hoping to lean on Olsen to once again be a major part of the passing game after he missed most of last season due to a broken foot. He was able to make his return for the last several games of the season and had put together a strong performance in the wild card matchup against the New Orleans Saints where he made eight catches on 12 targets for 107 receiving yards and a touchdown.

When healthy, Olsen has proven to be one of the top tight ends in the league prior to the 2017 campaign as he had become the first tight end in league history to notch more than 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons. This had seen him record more than 60 catches in five straight years. He has become Pro Bowl quarterback Cam Newton's favorite target in the passing game over the last several seasons.

And even if Olsen is unable to be quite as effective as he usually is, Newton will likely rely more on their other receiving options such as wideouts Devin Funchess, D.J. Moore, Torrey Smith, and running back Christian McCaffrey.