Carolina Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross is likely to miss Sunday's game against Kansas City to recover from a concussion, though there was no official word from the team Monday regarding his status.

The head injury he suffered in the first period of the Panthers' 24-9 win over Atlanta is considered a Grade 3 concussion, the highest level measured, according to the American Academy of Neurology's parameters for managing sports concussions.

Gross was knocked unconscious for several minutes and didn't return to the game.

The academy's guidelines recommend a two-week wait before returning to play for an athlete who loses consciousness for a matter of minutes.

Thus, Gross' availability for a key NFC South game Oct. 12 at Tampa Bay also could be in question. The Panthers and Buccaneers are tied for first place in the division with 3-1 records.

The injury appears likely to keep Gross from having a chance to break the team record for consecutive regular-season games started. Gross has 84 consecutive starts (plus seven in the playoffs) since he was picked in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft.

Former safety Mike Minter, who retired last year, holds the Carolina record with 91 straight regular-season starts.

Panthers coach John Fox said Monday he hadn't received a full report from doctors about Gross' condition, but he vowed the team would act in Gross' best interests.

“I'll err on the side of what medical people say,” said Fox. “They're the experts. I would not put somebody in harm's way with any injury.”

Gross was injured after making a cut block and falling to the ground, where he was accidentally kneed in the head by Falcons' linebacker Michael Boley.

Gross was lying facedown on the field, motionless, for several minutes before regaining consciousness and rolling over onto his back.

The Panthers sent for a stretcher to carry him off the field, but sent it away.

He was sitting up and waved to the crowd when carted off the field. Fox said it was a scary moment for the Panthers and that the team was grateful that Gross was not more seriously injured.

He said he saw Gross after the game.

“He felt fine,” said Fox. “We were really relieved that a neck injury wasn't involved. After that, it's something we can deal with.”