Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly will not return for Week 16 against the Falcons and probably not for the season finale against the Buccaneers either. His season is most likely over, reports Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Luke Kuechly not expected to return for Panthers this season
The All-Pro linebacker suffered a concussion in a Week 11 matchup with the Saints.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a decision that quarterback Cam Newton will agree with, based on his comments earlier in the week.
“I don’t think, for me, I would want to jeopardize that for a long-term issue to just bring him back,” Newton said, via the Charlotte Observer.
“Luke is a person that could potentially be the greatest linebacker to ever play. Straight up,” he added.
Kuechly suffered a concussion against the Saints in Week 11 and has been shut down ever since, but he wanted to get back on the field this season.
“I enjoy being on the field with the guys. I want to play. I know coach [Ron Rivera] knows that.”
This isn’t the first time the star defender has had to miss time due to a head injury. He missed three games in 2015 after suffering a concussion in the season opener against Jacksonville. Despite missing time, he still graded out as Pro Football Focus’s top inside linebacker for the season.
Kuechly needed fewer than 10 games to rack up 102 tackles this fall. His work in the middle has helped the team hold opponents to fewer than 80 rushing yards per game — a mark that’s the second-best in the league. However, his presence hasn’t been enough to turn around a letdown season in Carolina. The Panthers are just 6-8, 10 months after competing in Super Bowl 50.
Carolina’s cheesecloth secondary has helped unwind that goodwill against teams with competent quarterbacks. Opposing passers have played their way to a 95.7 rating against the Panthers, the rough equivalent of a slightly below-average day from Aaron Rodgers.
The three-time All-Pro and 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has been the heart and soul of the Carolina defense. He arrived in Charlotte in 2012 and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors behind a 164-tackle campaign.
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