ers were able to break away as Auburns quick passing and shooting negated the Ospreys hard trapping defense on the perimeter.BIG PICTURE:North Florida: The Ospreys will look to regroup and get th

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Now more than ever, Carolina Panthers players are being forced to confront the omnipresent dangers of repeated hits to the head amid a rash of concussions to key players.Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was carted off the field with a head injury last Thursday night, a disturbing sight as the 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year stared blankly ahead as he wept uncontrollably while heading to the locker room. It was a scary moment some teammates -- as well players across the league -- likely wont soon forget.Left tackle Michael Oher still hasnt returned to practice nearly two months after sustaining a concussion. Even reigning league MVP Cam Newton, with his seemingly invincible 6-foot-5, 245-pound muscular physique, missed a game with a concussion and later talked about his concern over long-term effects.In all, seven Carolina players have found their way into the leagues concussion protocol since the start of the preseason.When you see it, it always comes across your mind that it could be you one day, Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short said.Short acknowledged the violent nature of some hits is a scary to watch.Its like a car crash, Short said. You never know what the outcome may be. You hope for the best and pray that those guys come back.Kuechly did not practice Monday and Panthers coach Ron Rivera offered no update on his status, just reiterating he remains in the NFLs concussion protocol. He said there is no timetable for Kuechlys return.Still, the Panthers (4-6) must forge on and play six more games without their top defensive player beginning Sunday at Oakland.One of those trying to move on is safety Colin Jones.He missed Carolinas 23-20 win Thursday night over New Orleans with a concussion -- the second of his career.We are trained since we are young to fight through anything... but with a head injury its just a different situation because 70 percent isnt good enough, Jones said. Because if there are any side effects at all then you can just really hurt yourself down the road if you come back too quick.But Jones said when he does get back on the field it wont change the way he plays.Hes not alone.Cornerback Leonard Johnson said Monday he was taken the hospital after the Saints game when he had trouble breathing after taking a cleat to his sternum. He said you cant go into a game thinking about not getting hurt.I dont think it changes the way you play, it just brings more awareness to the game from a physicality standpoint, Johnson said of concussions. Once you roll the ball out there you forget all about the injuries and the possibility that (a concussion) can happen. When people focus more on those things they play timid and thats when injuries do happen.Kuechly missed 34 days and three games last season with a concussion.Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said A.J. Klein, another player who missed Thursday nights game with a concussion, would start if Kuechly cant play. Klein returned to practice Monday, but he also remains in the concussion protocol. Third-string linebacker David Mayo would make his first NFL start if Kuechly and Klein cant start.McDermott said while he has plenty of confidence in Kleins ability, losing Kuechly would be difficult because hes the glue on defense that connects the defensive front end to the secondary.Lets face it, you are never going to be able to replace a player of Lukes caliber, McDermott said. I wouldnt expect anybody in this locker room to do that. You want those guys to do what they do, do what they did in college and up to this point, and we will be fine.Panthers safety Coleman said he believes Kuechly is in good hands with the teams medical staff.Ultimately, all I care about is Luke the person, not Luke the player, Coleman said. I want him to be as healthy as he can be, not just playing for us, but later in life.---AP NFL website: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFLNHL Jerseys China . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. Cheap NHL Jerseys . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. https://www.cheapnhljerseysjustwholesale.com/ . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. NHL Jerseys . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. NHL Jerseys 2020 . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste.AUBURN, Ala. -- Bryce Brown scored 19 points, freshman Danjel Purifoy added 14 points and Auburn hit 13 3-pointers in an 83-66 victory over North Florida on Friday night in a season opener for both teams.Freshmen Mustafa Heron and Jared Harper each had 10 points for Auburn.I thought our defense in the first half was tremendous, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. In the second half, you know, we didnt play as well defensively. I was disappointed with our rebounding. But to hold a team that averages 84 (points per game) to 66 is good. Were trying to get better. Its a great way to start the season: with a win.The Tigers used their 3-pointers to pull away early, and their athleticism and tenacious defense prevented the Ospreys from clawing back in the second half.The two teams came out jittery as Auburn and North Florida combined for 15 turnovers in the first 11 minutes. Auburn, which was starting three freshmen in guards Heron and Jared Harper and forward Purifoy, committed seven of those.The Tigers lack of size kept North Florida in the game midway through the first half. The Ospreys 6-foot-11 center Romelo Banks, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, gave Auburns Horace Spencer fits. Spencer had to come out for grad transfer LaRon Smith just two minutes into the game, and although Smith wasnt any taller, he provided more-stout defense on Banks.We just didnt have an answer, said North Florida coach Maatt Driscoll.dddddddddddd. Our top guys, our lead guys, our marquee guys, they just didnt have one of their better games. Like, thats gonna happen, so weve got to find a way to play through that.With North Floridas down-low advantage hampered, the Tigers were able to break away as Auburns quick passing and shooting negated the Ospreys hard trapping defense on the perimeter.BIG PICTURE:North Florida: The Ospreys will look to regroup and get their cold shooting back on track next week.Auburn: Pearls young, inexperienced squad kicks off his third year with a win, and the Tigers will look to keep it rolling.STAT OF THE NIGHT:Auburn started three freshmen for the first time since Nov. 20, 2005, when the Tigers started Josh Dollard, Quantez Richardson and Joey Cameron in a 69-54 over Lipscomb.HE SAID ITGive them credit, they shared the sugar, they had a ton of assists. They got no pigs on the team, they look like they really like each other. They can shoot the living dog out of the ball, and they defend well enough and rebound so strong. -- North Florida coach Matt Driscoll.UP NEXTNorth Florida will try to bounce back and notch its first victory against Edward Waters on Monday.Auburn looks to start 2-0 when Georgia State rolls into town next Monday as part of the Cancun Challenge. ' ' '