Panthers DT Star Lotulelei in pads Wednesday for first time since Aug. 3

Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei strapped on his shoulder pads for the first time in almost eight weeks Wednesday.

Naturally, it took some getting used to.

“It’s been a while. So it felt really good to get the pads on,” Lotulelei said. “They were a little uncomfortable, but it definitely felt good to get them on and hit a little bit.”

Lotulelei has been out since Aug. 3, when he developed a stress reaction in his surgically repaired right foot during the first full week of training camp.

Lotulelei, the first-round pick from 2013, practiced on a limited basis last week but was held out of his second consecutive game.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Lotulelei took all the repetitions he was supposed to Wednesday.

“Star looked really good,” Rivera said. “He had a good day.”

Lotulelei stopped short of saying he would play Sunday against New Orleans.

“It’s getting there,” he said. “I was able to hit today for the first time in a while. So first step, we’ll see how it feels from there.”

Linebacker Luke Kuechly, who remains in the concussion protocol, led a list of eight players who did not practice Thursday. Among the other seven, Rivera said all but two – wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery and rookie offensive tackle Daryl Williams – could have practiced.

Cotchery is dealing with a high ankle sprain, which often require a four- to six-week recovery. Cotchery worked inside the stadium with trainers on Wednesday, and Rivera said he’d have a good idea of Cotchery’s status Thursday.

“Cotch is a unique guy. He’s a veteran guy,” Rivera said. “If it improved vastly, who knows? If not, we’ll go from there.”

Williams is out with a sprained knee.

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 6:21 PM with the headline "Panthers DT Star Lotulelei in pads Wednesday for first time since Aug. 3."