Luke Kuechly Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Panthers LB Luke Kuechly has announced his retirement. Kuechly just finished his age-28 season and 8th NFL campaign. He hasn't missed a game since 2017 and has missed just 1 game over the past 3 seasons. Kuechly famously lost the ends of his 2015 and 2016 seasons to concussions, and those issues likely factored into this decision. Kuechly has reportedly played through other issues even while not missing games the past 2 years. His departure leaves Carolina likely looking for a replacement this offseason. Shaq Thompson just signed a 4-year extension in December and will continue to start. Jermaine Carter looks like the best bet for a replacement on the current roster. The 2nd-year, former 5th-round pick played full time in the final 2 regular-season games with Thompson out.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly has cleared the league concussion protocol, the team announced Friday. Kuechly is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, but we should expect him to play after full practices all week. IDP owners rejoice.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly put in a full practice Wednesday but remains in the concussion protocol. HC Ron Rivera told reporters after practice that Kuechly appears to be on track to play Sunday against the Buccaneers. S Kurt Coleman (knee) also put in a full practice and might be on track to return. He has missed the past 3 games, including last week after he returned to limited practices.

The Panthers have ruled MLB Luke Kuechly out for Sunday's game at Chicago with the concussion he suffered last Thursday against the Eagles. It's been an odd situation. After entering him in the league protocol, the team said Kuechly didn't actually suffer a concussion. But he hasn't returned to the field since. We'll see how long this absence persists. Kuechly lost 3 and then 6 games to concussions the past 2 years. David Mayo is expected to start in the middle for Carolina. Thomas Davis should see a full snap allotment, though, with Mayo likely leaving in certain passing sub packages. Shaq Thompson has been playing full time for about a month.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly has passed his concussion testing and that the team doesn't believe he actually suffered a concussion in Thursday night's loss to the Eagles. That's an interesting development, given that the team announced Kuechly was in the protocol after the game. But it's obviously good news after Kuechly lost 9 games to concussions over the past 2 years. Barring any late-developing symptoms, we'll expect Kuechly to be active for Week 7 at Chicago.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly left Thursday night's loss to the Eagles after suffering a concussion on a hit by Philly G Brandon Brooks. It wasn't a particularly scary scene, as Kuechly never hit his head on the ground, left the field under his own power and jogged to the locker room. But he didn't return and did enter the league concussion protocol. Carolina has 10 days before its next game, which helps Kuechly's chances of not missing further time. But he lost 9 total games over the past 2 years to concussions, memorably leaving the field in tears after last year's injury. We'll see how the situation plays out this time around. David Mayo stepped in Thursday night and would start in Kuechly's place if he misses further time.

Panthers HC Ron Rivera confirmed Wednesday that MLB Luke Kuechly will sit out Sunday's season finale against the Buccaneers. Kuechly has cleared the concussion protocol, but Carolina has elected to keep him out of the final few games. Two straight seasons of multiple-game absences for concussions raises questions about Kuechly's long-term future, though he has said he's not considering retirement. We'll see what else this story has in the offseason. A.J. Klein will start in his place again, but OLB Shaq Thompson has passed him to sit #2 behind Thomas Davis in playing time among Carolina LBs.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly is inactive for tonight's game against Washington, despite clearing the concussion protocol this week. HC Ron Rivera said previously that didn't necessarily mean Kuechly would play and that he would put the player's future first in making the decision. Carolina's choice to keep Kuechly on the sideline raises the possibility of him sitting out the next 2 games as well. We'll see if/when we get word from the Panthers on that. If you'd been waiting on Kuechly for Week 15, it's time to start someone such as fill-in MLB A.J. Klein or Washington ILB Mason Foster in his place in your IDP lineup.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly has been cleared to return to game action after missing the past 3 weeks with a concussion. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll play Monday night against Washington, though. If you're waiting for him for your IDP lineup, make sure you have insurance. Options in the same game -- for various league sizes -- include Thomas Davis, A.J. Klein and Mason Foster.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly put in a full practice Thursday, the 1st official day of the week since Carolina plays Washington on Monday night. Kuechly didn't make it to "full" status until Friday last week and then fell short of clearance for the game. We'll see if he can make that final step in his progression through the league concussion protocol this time around.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly couldn't quite gain final clearance to play Sunday against the Chargers, but HC Ron Rivera said plans haven't changed going forward. “No. I’ll go along with what the doctors tell me,” Rivera told the Charlotte Observer. “That’s the truth of the matter.” He was reportedly responding to a question about whether the team would go ahead and shut Kuechly down for the rest of the year even if he clears the concussion protocol. This is the 2nd straight year in which Kuechly has lost 3 games to a concussion. We'll see what the situation means for Kuechly's long-term future. IDP owners can keep him on 2016 rosters, though, in hopes that you'll be able to use him over the final 2-3 fantasy weeks.

The Panthers announced Saturday that MLB Luke Kuechly will miss his 3rd straight game. Kuechly returned to practice this week and was thought to be on track for Sunday's game against the Chargers, but he failed to gain final clearance Saturday. A.J. Klein will start in his place for the 3rd straight week.

The Panthers have ruled DE Charles Johnson out for Sunday's game against the Chargers with a hamstring injury. MLB Luke Kuechly, CB Daryl Worley and S Kurt Coleman are all officially questionable, though each is expected to play barring a setback in their recoveries from concussions. DE Mario Addison (foot) is also questionable. He put in a full practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. We'll check on his status Sunday and keep tabs on the concussion crew through the weekend.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly practice in full Friday and is on track to play Sunday against the Chargers, "barring a last-minute setback in the concussion protocol," according to ESPN's David Newton. Kuechly, S Kurt Coleman and CB Daryl Worley were all reportedly due to meet with the medical staff after putting in a full practice Friday, and then meet again early Saturday for final clearance. We'll watch the status for all 3 players, all of whom sit well within starter territory at their positions in our Week 14 rankings.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly returned to practice Wednesday, though he has yet to clear the league concussion protocol. ESPN's David Newton reports that Kuechly will be re-evaluated Thursday. We'll see how he progresses this week, though returning to practice is obviously a big step.

The Panthers have ruled MLB Luke Kuechly (concussion), S Kurt Coleman (concussion) and DE Mario Addison (foot) out for Sunday night's game at Seattle. That will mean another start for A.J. Klein in Kuechly's place. It should also mean more playing time for DE Kony Ealy, who played his most snaps last Sunday since Week 6. Michael Griffin has worked in as the 3rd safety and figures to take Coleman's spot. Only Klein's worth any IDP attention in most leagues, though Seattle presents some sack upside for Ealy. He has registered a QB hit in 3 straight games, including a pair of sacks.