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Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly remains in the NFL concussion protocol and will not play in Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers, the team announced Saturday. The ruling again raises questions about the future of the great linebacker beyond Sunday.
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Kuechly missed the last two games after suffering a concussion against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 17. He was a full participant in Friday's practice for the first time since the injury and met with the medical stuff on Saturday.
Coach Ron Rivera was hopeful Friday that Kuechly would pass the final test in the protocol with an independent neurologist and be able to play.
This will be the second straight season the Pro Bowl linebacker has missed at least three games due to a concussion. Kuechly missed three games last season after sustaining a Week 1 concussion.
The Panthers (4-8) need Kuechly's service as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive. Carolina allowed 534 yards in last Sunday's 40-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and gave up 75 points and 900 yards in the two games he missed.
Fourth-year linebacker A.J. Klein is expected to start in Kuechly's place again.
With just four weeks left in a season that is spiraling out of control, many Panthers fans have been asking what they believe is a valid question:
Why risk putting All-World linebacker Luke Kuechly back on the field less than a month after he suffered his second career concussion?
Rivera had what he believes is a valid answer.
"My response would be that he's a football player," Carolina's coach said Wednesday. "And if he passes the protocol and he wants to play, and the doctors want him to play, he'll play. It's that simple.
"I don't control the protocol. But I do control the football team, in terms of, 'We're going out there to play, we're playing one at a time, we play to win.' And we'll see what happens."
Kuechly took what Rivera termed "the next step" Wednesday when he practiced for the first time since he was carted off the field in tears after suffering a concussion in a win over the Saints.
But after taking part in practice Friday, medics Saturday ruled him out for Sunday.
Perhaps this will cause even more questions about Kuechly's future even beyond Sunday.
Starting strong safety Kurt Coleman and cornerback Daryl Worley have cleared the protocol and are available to play against the Chargers, the team said Saturday.
The Panthers already ruled out defensive end Charles Johnson (hamstring), linebacker/special teams player David Mayo (concussion) and right tackle Daryl Williams (ankle).
