LANDOVER, Md. – Linebacker Luke Kuechly won't play against the Redskins on Monday Night Football.

Kuechly was cleared Saturday from the concussion protocol and made the trip with his teammates for the matchup with Washington, but the Panthers have opted against putting him back on the field and instead declared him inactive.

Kuechly spent the previous three games in the concussion protocol after being injured in a victory over the Saints on November 17.

In announcing Saturday that Kuechly had cleared the concussion protocol, head coach Ron Rivera said in part that the Panthers would "have to balance our enthusiasm with what's best for Luke and the team long term."

The Panthers (5-8) technically remain alive for a playoff berth with a victory tonight but only by the narrowest of mathematical margins. They must win out and have seven other games over the next two weeks have a specific outcome. As unlikely as that is, it's made even more so by Carolina needing Washington to go 0-1-1 over its last two games.

Panthers inactives:

• LB Luke Kuechly

• DE Charles Johnson

• OT Daryl Williams

• RB Cameron Artis-Payne

• TE Chris Manhertz

• LB Jeremy Cash

• DT Paul Soliai

Redskins inactives:

• QB Nate Sudfeld

• WR Rashad Ross

• RB Matt Jones

• S Su'a Cravens

• LB Will Compton

• OL Vinston Painter

• C Kory Lichtensteiger