Panthers Edge Saints, 23-20
The teams were on a losing record which is not expected from them as both have one of the best quarterbacks.
There was worrying scenes for the Panthers in the match, as star Luke Kuechly left the field in tears with a suspected concussion.
The emotions could have been a reaction to the pain or the time he expects to miss, but it’s also possible he was suffering from pseudobulbar affect-a condition in which uncontrollable emotions, including crying or even laughing, follow a traumatic brain injury. If it indeed is a concussion – we’re still waiting for the official word – it would be be Kuechly’s second in as many seasons; he missed 34 days with a head injury in 2015.
His sobbing on Thursday was discussed with concern by announcers Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth, while the Observer wrote of Kuechly’s “dazed look”. I know how I feel going into a Thursday.
One more special teams’ blunder worth noting.
Kuechly was hit so hard that he was pushed back into the path of outside linebacker Thomas Davis, whose helmet glanced off his teammate’s helmet.
“You could see it on his face that he was pretty visibly upset”, tight end Greg Olsen said after Carolina’s 23-20 victory. He’s a very important player for us, as are all of our guys.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees made sure to let Kuechly know he was praying for him as the linebacker was taken off the field.
“We lost a game that left a bad taste in our mouth”, DE Cameron Jordan said. ‘And I hope that he’s okay’.
“Obviously head injuries are tough, especially when it comes to a guy that I’ve got the ultimate respect for”, said Lee, who missed a game previous year because of a concussion.
Cam Newton threw for 192 yards and a touchdown and the Carolina Panthers held off New Orleans’ fourth- quarter rally to beat the Saints 23-20 on Thursday night in a game marred by injuries to key players.
The Panthers were in the midst of the fourth quarter on their Charlotte home turf when Luke’s injury happened.
The Panthers former first-round pick leads the league in tackles (102) this season, and now will need to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol before returning to the field.
Ron Rivera says Luke Kuechly is in the NFL’s concussion protocol and he has no further update at this time. However, injuries suffered at offensive line, wide receiver, defensive line, linebacker, and in the secondary have many questioning the status of this team moving forward.