Luke Kuechly returns to practice, but should the Panthers shut him down?
Concussions can be unpredictable. Some players suffer a concussion and return in a few days. For others the symptoms can linger for others for a long time.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was back at practice on Wednesday after missing two games due to a scary concussion he suffered against the New Orleans Saints, though it was unclear how much contact he had, if any. When he suffered the concussion against the Saints, Kuechly was crying as he was carted off. NBC’s Michele Tafoya said during last Sunday’s broadcast of the Panthers’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks that Kuechly couldn’t explain why he was crying. Some have speculated that the brain injury caused an involuntary emotional reaction. No matter the reason, it was a startling moment.
Kuechly is apparently getting ready to play again, but you have to wonder if it’s worth it this season, given how unpredictable and serious concussions are.
This is the second time in two seasons that Kuechly has missed multiple games due to a concussion. He missed three games last season due to a concussion. Some experts believe that suffering a concussion increases the risk for more concussions, or more severe symptoms from subsequent concussions. The Panthers are surely being careful with Kuechly’s recovery and wouldn’t put the All-Pro linebacker back on the field before he’s ready. But is it worth whatever small risk there is?
The Panthers are 4-8. They’re three games behind the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. Their chances of making the playoffs this season is very slim. If it might help Kuechly in the slightest to sit the rest of the season and leave no doubt that he’s healed, that might make sense at this point.
Assuming the Panthers aren’t ready to shut him down, we’ll just hope Kuechly gets through the rest of this season healthy.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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