The Panthers are 3-0, but limping into this week’s game with the Buccaneers, and may be shorthanded through their bye week.
According to Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was not on the practice field this morning, absent again after his Week One concussion. Voth reports there’s a “sense” that Kuechly will be out through the bye week which follows in Week Five.
While the Bucs aren’t the toughest task on their schedule, the simple length of time makes Kuechly’s condition a concern. They listed him as doubtful last week, and there has been no report that he’s scheduled to meet with the independent neurologist yet.
While the former defensive player of the year could step in easily as soon as he’s cleared, that clearance is taking longer than some have expected.
The Panthers did have linebacker Thomas Davis on the field this morning after he suffered some degree of pectoral injury last week, giving them at least one of their defensive cornerstones. They put defensive end Charles Johnson on injured reserve/designated for return yesterday after trading for Jared Allen.