Report: Luke Kuechly clears league concussion protocol
According to Ian Rapoport, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly has passed the league’s concussion protocol.
The Carolina Panthers haven’t had the season they were hoping for after winning the NFC last season. The team has had to deal with some injuries and the ball just hasn’t bounced their way like last season. One of the toughest moments of the season for the Panthers came when Luke Kuechly suffered a concussion against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football.
Having a prior history of concussion issues, there were plenty of concerns over Kuechly’s future. While it isn’t clear when he’s going to return to the field for the Panthers and he very well could on Monday night, there is some good news. According to Ian Rapoport, Kuechly has cleared the league’s concussion protocol.
Though he's still listed as questionable for MNF, #Panthers LB Luke Kuechly has cleared the league's concussion protocol.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 17, 2016
That certainly should be exciting news for the Panthers. Kuechly being healthy is a major plus for them and getting him back on the field is a welcome sight. The only question for them is whether or not it’s worth it to play him this season.
While Kuechly is the ultimate competitor and will do whatever it takes to get out on the field for his defense, the Panthers won’t be going to the playoffs this season. That brings up the debate of whether or not it is best to just sit him and allow him to come back completely healthy next season.
It’s never an easy question to answer and the Panthers want to have Kuechly manning the middle for many years to come. However, it wouldn’t be much of a shock to see him take the field against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football either.