Panthers LB Kuechly is in the NFL's concussion protocol

Carolina Panthers star linebacker Luke Kuechly has officially been placed in the league’s concussion protocol, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. The former defensive player of the year has already missed nine games in the last two seasons through concussion, and his latest injury marks his third in as many seasons. The team has given no timetable for his return.
Since entering the league in 2012, Kuechly has developed into one of the best linebackers in the game. He has registered ’elite’ overall grades in three of his five full professional seasons, the highest of which came in 2014 (94.6) and 2015 (98.8), where he ranked first among players at his position. Through six games of the 2017 season, Kuechly currently ranks 10th among linebackers with an overall grade of 84.9.
A true force in all areas of the game, Kuechly has provided 17 tackles and nine stops on his 103 run-defense snaps this season, for a run-stop percentage of 8.7 percent that ranks 11th among 31 linebackers with at least 70 run-defense snaps. In coverage, he’s allowed a passer rating of just 77.8 on the 30 throws into his coverage, while notching an interception and a pass break up.
If Kuechly misses time, third-year linebacker David Mayo will likely take his place. Mayo performed ably in relief of Kuechly in Week 6, and ended the game with two total stops on his 32 defensive snaps.