Joe Webb III
Rivera: Panthers LB Kuechly won't play in season finale
Joe Webb III

Rivera: Panthers LB Kuechly won't play in season finale

Published Dec. 28, 2016 2:49 p.m. ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Coach Ron Rivera says he will not play three-time All-Pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly in the team's season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the Panthers out of playoff contention and his star defender recovering from a concussion.

Kuechly was cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol three weeks, but Rivera has elected not to play him as a precautionary measure.

Rivera said the decision about what is best for the long-term future of the team.

Kuechly has not played since suffering his second concussion on Nov. 17 against the New Orleans Saints.

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Quarterback Cam Newton was held out of passing drills on Wednesday and backup Derek Anderson was home sick. That meant third-string quarterback Joe Webb got the first-team reps.

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