Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly not cleared yet

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In New Orleans, they are worried this week about the status of quarterback Drew Brees.

In Carolina, they are wondering if the quarterback of the defense will return.

Because he is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, linebacker Luke Kuechly isn't guaranteed to be back on the field Sunday when the Panthers host the Saints.

On Wednesday, he participated in light exercise at practice for the first time since he suffered a concussion in Week 1. During the part of practice open to the media, he hit the blocking sled a few times, caught a couple passes and played receiver against his fellow linebackers.

The Panthers officially listed Kuechly as "did not practice" and it appears he has not advanced to the non-contact portion of the NFL concussion protocol.

When asked if Kuechly's activity Wednesday was part of the light exercise stage, coach Ron Rivera said:

"Yeah, I guess that's what that could be considered, and we will see how he is in the morning.

"He's taken a stride, but he's still in the protocol."

Kuechly missed the first start of his career in Week 2. Once he advances to non-contact drills, he then has to pass a test from an independent neurologist before he is fully cleared.

Meanwhile, down in New Orleans, Brees told reporters he has "every intention" of playing through a bruised rotator cuff. If he can't, it would be just the second missed start of his career with the Saints.

The first and so far only time Brees hasn't quarterbacked New Orleans during his nine-plus seasons was the 2009 regular-season finale in Charlotte.

If Brees can't play Sunday, the Saints would be forced to turn to journeyman Luke McCown or third-round rookie Garrett Grayson. McCown has made nine career starts, but none since 2011.

"I expect (Brees) to play," said Panthers safety Roman Harper, a former teammate of Brees for eight seasons. "I've never known him to miss a game. He's definitely been banged up before and he's always played. I'll believe (he will miss a game) when I see it."

--Even though he is in his second season as a pro, right guard Trai Turner is the fourth-youngest player on the Carolina Panthers' roster. But the 22-year-old acted like a savvy veteran on Wednesday when meeting with the media.

A day earlier, video of Turner blocking two-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt to the ground during the Panthers' Week 2 win over the Texans went viral.

Naturally, reporters wanted to hear how Turner slayed one of the NFL's biggest beasts. But he wasn't about to let the media plaster juicy quotes across the internet.

Instead, Turner was coy, insisting his focus is on this week's game against his hometown Saints. Like a true lineman, he kept deflecting questions.

When asked to describe his block on the play, Turner playfully said:

"Which one? There were like 73 of them.

"No, let's not take anything away from that guy, he's a great player. Let's leave it at that."

NOTES: Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (high ankle) stayed inside during practice Wednesday. If he is unable to play, Brenton Bersin will be promoted from the practice squad. ... Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, who returned to practice last week, was allowed to hit Wednesday for the first time since he suffered a stress reaction in early August.