Panthers rule out Luke Kuechly; Bears could get Nick Kwiatkoski back

The Panthers will play without an inside linebacker Sunday, but the Bears might not.

The disparity between the two is significant.

Panthers three-time All-Pro Luke Kuechly was ruled out Friday, eight days after suffering another concussion. He will miss his 10th game in the last two seasons because of a head injury.

Meanwhile, the Bears could regain starter Nick Kwiatkoski, who strained his right pectoral muscle in their second game. He practiced in full Friday for the first time since the injury. Asked whether he’d play, he smiled.

“In my head I am,” he said.

If not, the Bears figure to start Christian Jones alongside Danny Trevathan.

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“[Kwiatkoski is] a smart guy who has been willing to work,” coach John Fox said. “I’ve seen that improvement from last year to this year. And anytime you get whacked or injured or taken out for some reason, you’ve got to kind of regain that again. It’s like a do-over.

“So he has had a good week. We still have time for him to gain that confidence. We’ll see.”

When Kwiatkoski was hurt, it took the Bears a few days to determine whether the injury would put him on injured reserve. He had replaced Jerrell Freeman, who went on IR with a pec injury in Week 1.

“Even after the first MRI, there were what-ifs or, ‘Get another,’ a couple things like that,” Kwiatkoski said. “It was scary. It kind of turned out in the best way.”

Bears cornerback Sherrick McManis, who injured his hamstring covering a punt Sunday, is doubtful. So is inside linebacker John Timu, who hurt his knee and ankle in Week 5. Running back Benny Cunningham is questionable after hurting his hamstring Sunday. Center Hroniss Grasu also is questionable with a hand injury.

Receiver Markus Wheaton, who injured his groin last week and hasn’t practiced since, is out.

The Panthers ruled out safety Demetrious Cox (ankle), tackle John Theus (concussion) and running back Fozzy Whittaker (ankle).

Six Panthers are questionable: receiver Kelvin Benjamin (knee), safety Kurt Coleman (knee), kicker Graham Gano (knee), defensive end Charles Johnson (groin), center Ryan Kalil (neck) and guard Greg Van Roten (shoulder).

Kalil, a five-time Pro Bowl player, figures to make his first start since Week 1.

Follow me on Twitter @patrickfinley.

Email: pfinley@suntimes.com