Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly progressing in concussion protocol

Even if Luke Kuechly clears the concussion protocol this week, there’s no guarantee the Carolina Panthers’ All-Pro linebacker will play Sunday against the Texans, coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday.

Kuechly was at Carolina’s practice Wednesday as an observer as he works his way through the league-mandated steps to return to play.

“We’ll see,” said Rivera when asked if Kuechly would play if he clears the protocol. “I’m going to be honest with you. No conjecture would be fair because, again, this is serious and we’ve just got to follow the protocol. I don’t want to put anything out there that’s not right or not true. ... To guess or to assume would be unfair.”

Kuechly suffered the first known concussion of his NFL career in the second quarter of last week’s 20-9 victory over Jacksonville. He took his baseline test on Tuesday, and Wednesday he was at practice stretching and laughing with his teammates before watching linebacker drills from the side in the portion of practice open to the media.

Though it’s unclear where Kuechly is in the protocol, Rivera said Kuechly did work in the weight room and training room. That would indicate Kuechly moved on from the baseline portion of the protocol and is now in the gradual exercise program, where a player returns to light activities before later participating in non-contact drills at practice.

Players in the protocol are limited in attending team meetings and what they can do in the weight room. Rivera said Kuechly had been pushing his boundaries on Wednesday and head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion had to rein him in.

While in the concussion protocol, Kuechly is not allowed to speak with the media. The Panthers have said their defensive game plan will not change with or without Kuechly, and they’ll start A.J. Klein at middle linebacker if Kuechly is unable to play.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien said his team’s approach to this weekend’s game doesn’t depend on Kuechly’s status.

“But I’ll say this: The guy is a great player,” O’Brien said on a conference call Wednesday. “I just have a great appreciation for smart linebackers, tough linebackers. The thing that’s pretty neat about this guy is when you watch him, he obviously studies film. He knows what’s coming. And it reminds you of some of the great linebackers you’ve called plays against in the past or you’ve been around, whether it was Ray Lewis or Tedy Bruschi or Junior Seau or Mike Vrabel, who’s on our staff.

“These guys really study film. They’re really bright. They’re tough. They call out things before they even happen, and that’s what Kuechly does.”

Rivera didn’t go so far as to say Kuechly, the two-time NFL leader in tackles in his first three seasons, will be a game-time decision. In order for him to play, Kuechly must be cleared by both the team’s medical staff and an independent neurologist.

But Rivera made it clear that Kuechly doesn’t have to participate fully on the practice field this week in order to play against the Texans.

“Luke doesn’t need to practice. I promise you that much right now,” Rivera said. “He’s a smart football player. He understands the game. He knows the game. To be able to play effectively, to play to his ability, he probably doesn’t need to practice.”

This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly progressing in concussion protocol."