Luke Kuechly Injury: Updates on Panthers Star's Concussion and Return

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly has not played since he suffered a concussion in Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints and was carted off the field. He will not return this season.

Continue for updates.

---

Kuechly Out vs. Buccaneers

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera told Pat Kirwin of SiriusXM's Movin' the Chains (via the Panther's official website) that Kuechly won't play in Week 17 against Tampa Bay. 

---

Kuechly Comments on Recovery

Wednesday, Dec. 21

Kuechly told reporters he has no plans to retire and that he is hopeful the team will let him play again this season.

Kuechly added he would "reluctantly" sit out if he's told he won't be cleared for a return. The linebacker added he's "crossing his fingers" he'll be able to play again this season.

---

Latest on Kuechly's Practice Status

Wednesday, Dec. 21

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Kuechly will take part in Wednesday's practice session.

---

Veteran Players Reportedly Expressed Concern for Kuechly

Wednesday, Dec. 14

Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report reported four veteran players expressed "how they weren't just concerned for Kuechly; they were scared for him."

"He needs to think about not 30 years from now but five," one of the players wrote, per Freeman.

---

Rivera Comments on Kuechly's Injury

Monday, Nov. 21

"He's in the protocol," Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said, per Black and Blue Review. "For me to say anything other than that would be unfair. ... There is no timetable."

Rivera said Nov. 18 that Kuechly was in the league's concussion protocol, per Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. Rivera also indicated Kuechly did not suffer any injuries aside from the concussion, according to Person.

---

Davis Posts Update on Kuechly's Status

Friday, Nov. 18

---

Kuechly Leaves Field in Tears

Thursday, Nov. 17

Black and Blue Review provided the news of Kuechly's injury, while CBSSports.com's Will Brinson noted Kuechly was "openly crying" while he was on the field and being attended to by trainers.

NBC Sports provided a snapshot of Kuechly before he was carted off:

The team announced Kuechly was being evaluated for a concussion. Panthers safety Kurt Coleman said the play reminded him of the play on which Kuechly was concussed last year against the Jacksonville Jaguars, per Person.

---

Kuechly Is Heart of Panthers Defense

Kuechly is coming off his third straight All-Pro season, and he played an integral role as the Panthers captured the 2015 NFC title. His 118 combined tackles led Carolina last year, and he tied for second on the team with four interceptions.

For the first time since entering the league in 2012, though, an injury forced Kuechly to miss action as the Panthers embarked on a 15-1 season. He suffered a concussion in Week 1 and was absent for three games.

The Panthers didn't drop off much during that stretch, but there's no question how valuable Kuechly is to their defense. The 25-year-old is not only a tremendous run defender, but he also covers the middle of the field in the passing game better than any linebacker in the league.

Kuechly's injury adds to what has been a difficult year for the Panthers defense. The team's decision to let go of cornerback Josh Norman in the offseason looks like a big mistake, as the unit has failed to reach the heights it did a year ago.

Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson have had to pick up some of the slack at linebacker in Kuechly's absence.