CHARLOTTE – Linebacker Luke Kuechly is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints with a concussion and he will "more than likely" miss his second consecutive game.

Kuechly, who missed the first game of his career last Sunday against the Houston Texans, did not participate in practice all week.

"He's progressing," head coach Ron Rivera said. "We are just trying to be smart and go through the process of the protocol."

With a bye looming after Carolina travels to face the Buccaneers in Week 4, Rivera was asked if the team is considering sitting Kuechly until Week 6. He said no one is looking that far ahead.

"It's really all about how he feels and what the doctors think as he goes through this process," Rivera explained.

Elsewhere on the injury report, defensive end Charles Johnson (hamstring) and running backs Jonathan Stewart (knee) and Fozzy Whittaker (shoulder) are questionable.

"Charles, Jonathan and Fozzy all took the reps that they were scheduled to take," Rivera said. "That was good to see."

All three are expected to play.

"Unless they have some sort of setback tomorrow," Rivera said, "which we seriously doubt."

With defensive tackle Star Lotulelei probable, the Panthers could have their full complement of defensive linemen for the first time this season. Lotulelei missed the first two games and all of the preseason with a stress reaction in his foot.

The wide receiver corps will be shorthanded, however. Veteran Jerricho Cotchery is out with a high ankle sprain.