| Advertisement |
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is downplaying reports that he is being urged to retire after sustaining his second concussion in as many seasons. Kuechly, 25, was cleared from concussion protocol last week but did not play in the Panthers' game against the Washington Redskins last Monday.
Advertisement
A Bleacher Report story cited anonymous NFL players lobbying Kuechly not to play for the rest of the season and consider retirement.
"I know you appreciate those guys who want what is best for you and it's a thing we'll learn more about," Kuechly said Wednesday, via NFL.com. "I trust what our doctors have to say. I trust our coaches and all those guys. I want to get out there and play. ...
"I'm excited whenever the opportunity is but I'm holding that retirement word for a little ways down the road so it's something you appreciate everyone's concern but whenever my opportunity comes back, I'll be back out there."
Kuechly reportedly lobbied to play against the Redskins, but Carolina coach Ron Rivera did not comply.
"(Rivera) said you're not going to play this week, and then we'll kind of go on from there," Kuechly said. "I'm crossing my fingers every week that they're going to give me the thumbs up to go but those guys have a good plan in place of what they want to do and what's best for the team."
Kuechly is a four-time Pro Bowler, a three-time First-team All Pro and was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 after winning the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year honor the year before.
He totaled 102 tackles, two sacks, six passes defensed, one interception and a forced fumble through 10 games in 2016.
