Carolina Panthers rule out LB Luke Kuechly against Oakland Raiders

Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly remains in concussion protocol and has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders.

Kuechly suffered the concussion on Nov. 17 against the New Orleans Saints and was carted off the field. The Carolina star was highly emotional as he left the premises.

Kuechly also suffered a concussion last season and that led to him missing three games.

Center Ryan Kalil (shoulder) and defensive end Mario Addison (foot) were also ruled out.

Carolina also placed offensive tackle Michael Oher (concussion) and cornerback Zack Sanchez (groin) on injured reserve.

Kuechly and Kalil are traveling with the team to Oakland because the Panthers will be remaining on the West Coast due to next week's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

"And not just the moral support but what they know as far as the game. They see things as well," coach Ron Rivera told reporters. "It's kind of almost like having almost another set of coaching eyes on the sideline. It's good to have those type of guys around."

The Panthers listed the following five players as questionable: Safety Tre Boston (ankle), center Gino Gradkowski (knee), cornerback Leonard Johnson (chest), safety Colin Jones (concussion) and linebacker A.J. Klein (concussion).