Greg Olsen and his wife, Kara, are in the middle of one of the toughest weeks they'll ever face.
Their newborn son, T.J. Olsen, will undergo the first of three scheduled surgeries Thursday to correct a congenital heart defect. Kara Olsen delivered twins Tuesday: T.J. and a daughter, Talbot.
Rapoport: Week 6 game rankings
What's the best game on the Week 6 slate? The worst? Ian Rapoport provides a pecking order in his Rap Sheet Rankings. **More ...**
This was a surgery the Carolina Panthers tight end and his wife knew was coming. They have told their story locally in Charlotte and to ESPN, and it is a heartbreaking one. Kara and Greg learned early in the pregnancy that T.J. had hypoplastic left heart syndrome. They knew for the last six months that this surgery and this difficult week would come.
T.J. will have two more heart surgeries before his third birthday. His chances for survival are up to 70 percent.
"He continues to be closely monitored by physicians and clinical staff during this very important period of time," Olsen said Wednesday, via text to the Charlotte Observer. "We appreciate the thoughts and prayers and respect for our family's privacy."
Coach Ron Rivera and many Panthers players expressed their support Wednesday, and we'd like to do the same.
Olsen said his wife and Talbot are healthy and doing well.
