Carolina Panthers

Panthers LB Luke Kuechly suffers concussion, misses second half

Published Sep. 13, 2015 3:18 p.m. ET

foxsports

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Carolina Panthers star linebacker Luke Kuechly missed the second half of the season opener with a concussion.

Kuechly wobbled to the ground Sunday after tackling Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon late in the first half. Kuechly tried to stand up but dropped to the ground again. He was immediately taken into the locker room, and the team later said he would not return. Shaq Thompson replaced him.

Kuechly signed a five-year, $62 million contract earlier this week.

"Any time you lose a guy like Kuechly, that's really tough," Panthers cornerback Josh Norman said. "He's an animal in the middle. He plays with ferocious violence. We had to pick up our play at that point. I was glad to do what I could."

Carolina went on to win, 20-9.