CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers pride themselves on their next-man-up mentality, but there really is no next man up for middle linebacker Luke Kuechly.
Just ask San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.
“It would be crazy for me not to say that they are different with him in there," said Rivers, who faces the Panthers (4-8) on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. “I mean, you are talking about, to me, the best inside backer in the game."
Kuechly has missed the past two games with a concussion, but he appears on track to return for the Chargers (5-7).