The Sports Xchange

Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans with a concussion.

He was previously listed as doubtful.

Kuechly sustained a concussion late in the first half of Week 1’s 20-9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The All-Pro linebacker was present at Friday’s practice but did not participate in any drills.

Kuechly, who signed a $62 million contract extension last week, was not cleared by team doctors and the independent neurologist as of Friday.

Third-year linebacker A.J. Klein is expected to start in the middle in place of Kuechly.

During his three years at Boston College and through three-plus seasons as a pro, Kuechly had never missed a game. He has started 52 straight games, including three in the playoffs.

Kuechly’s 480 tackles are the most in the NFL since 2012. He had seven against Jacksonville in the season opener.

Klein has started 10 games at outside linebacker for the Panthers. He had five tackles against the Jaguars.