It seems like the Carolina Panthers might not have a choice in whether to shut down linebacker Luke Kuechly or play him the remainder of the season.

Despite returning to practice this week, Kuechly was not cleared to play and ruled out of Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers. Kuechly is still in the concussion protocol, the team said.

Luke Kuechly has been ruled out for Sunday’s game and remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Coleman & Worley have cleared the protocol. — Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 10, 2016





Kuechly’s concussion is scary, not just because of his emotional response when he suffered it, but because this is the second time in two years he has missed multiple games due to a concussion. He missed three last season. This Sunday will mark his third missed game with his latest concussion.

Kuechly is one of the league’s best players, a former NFL defensive player of the year who is still just 25 years old. He and quarterback Cam Newton are the two building blocks for a Panthers team that made the Super Bowl last season, though Carolina has slumped this season to a 4-8 record.

There’s not much reason for the Panthers to bring back their superstar linebacker this season. Until he is cleared from his latest concussion, they don’t have a choice anyway.

Luke Kuechly will miss his third straight game with a concussion. (AP) More

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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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