Kuechly likely to miss second game

“Those young guys really have good opportunities to make some plays”, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said.

Rivera said the Panthers could elevate receiver Brenton Bersin from the practice squad or use No. 3 quarterback Joe Webb as an emergency wide receiver.

In his place has been A.J. Klein, a third-year player who has registered 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception in his six quarters as Kuechly’s replacement. “Again, he’s taken a stride but he’s still in the protocol”.

“Yeah, I guess that’s what that could be considered, and we’ll see how he is in the morning”.

He wasn’t in pads or wearing a helmet, but Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly took a step forward in his cleats Wednesday. Norwood, acquired in a trade with Seattle on September 1, had a ball go through his hands against Houston last week in his first game action with the Panthers. “Tomorrow they may get him out there to see how he handles it”, Rivera said. Cotchery suffered a high ankle sprain against Houston. “We’re just trying to be smart and go through the process of the protocol”. “I know he’s champing at the bit to be out there and get back on the field”.

“It’s just bangs and bruises from the game”, Turner said. “And he’s going to make the best decisions for himself as well”. Cotchery worked inside the stadium with trainers on Wednesday, and Rivera said he’d have a good idea of Cotchery’s status Thursday.