Luke Kuechly injury update: Panthers LB shares hopeful message

The Carolina Panthers could be without their star linebacker for a while as he goes through concussion protocol following a scary hit on Thursday night.

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said that start linebacker Luke Kuechly is in concussion protocol in a Friday press conference, according to Austin Knoblauch of NFL.com.

Kuechly was carted off the field in tears late in the fourth quarter of Carolina’s Thursday night win over the New Orleans Saints in a tough moment to watch for any football fan. As Kuechly’s leg appeared to also bend awkwardly, it was unclear what the injury was before Rivera confirmed a potential concussion the next afternoon.

The 25-year-old missed three games last year with a concussion and dealt with the lingering effects for much of the 2015 season, hence the emotional reaction to Thursday’s scary injury. Fortunately, Kuechly’s teammate Thomas Davis relayed a message on his Instagram indicating Kuechly was doing well on Friday.

Since being selected ninth overall out of Boston College by the Panthers in the 2012 NFL Draft, Kuechly has been arguably the top linebacker in the league. Kuechly has been named first-team All-Pro in three consecutive seasons and was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

The concussion problems likely explained Kuechly’s down year by his lofty standards in 2015. Kuechly has been terrific for the Panthers this season and racked up 14 tackles against the Saints before leaving late in the game

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While the injury certainly hurts a 4-6 Panthers team that needs to rally to make the postseason after going 15-1 a year ago, the concern is with Kuechly’s long-term health, both on the field and off.