Written by Vinny Iyer at SportingNews.com
The Panthers gained a much-needed win over the Saints on Thursday night to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, they lost so much more.
Linebacker Luke Kuechly, their best player, their defensive leader, their high-effort paradigm, their beloved heartbeat, went down. With that, all those hopes were dashed in the worst possible way.
The focus is no longer on that Super Bowl hangover, from which Carolina got only a temporary reprieve with its first NFC South victory of 2016, 23-20. It’s now, full-on, the utter heartbreak the Panthers and their fans suffered as they saw their superstar suffering, struggling to breathe, sobbing out all of his shock and disappointment.
It’s easy to know why, knowing Kuechly had possibly suffered another concussion. That’s beyond a sad ending to what could have been. In this cruel game, all those supporting No. 59 by sporting his jerseys in the stands have turned their attention to concern over a whole career continuing.
That’s only a natural feeling, knowing his passion for football and for making the Panthers win every week. He has been steady and spectacular force in a season full of disappointment.
He also has a troubling recent history with a head injury. The concussion he suffered early last season caused him to miss three games and a month of practice — and question whether he would be right again. It brings to mind how another young inside linebacker, Chris Borland, gave up the game well before he could become as accomplished as Kuechly is.
“I thought it was his foot or his knee” was quarterback Cam Newton’s observation and hope when Kuechly was on the ground following a tackle of Saints running back Tim Hightower with 4:20 left in regulation. “I didn’t know it was his head. I’m praying for him for a speedy recovery.”
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