Panthers fans hoping Luke Kuechly remains sidelined got their wish.

It’s not what he or Carolina wanted, though.

The linebacker has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Chargers in what should be another reminder that concussion timelines are impossible to predict.

Kuechly sat out the past two games but traveled with the team to the West Coast. He then returned to practice this week and participated in full on Friday. Coach Ron Rivera said his best defensive player was scheduled to meet with an independent doctor later in the day.

That Kuechly was ruled out indicates he failed to receive final clearance from either the independent or team doctors.

Safety Kurt Coleman and cornerback Daryl Worley, the Panthers’ two other players listed as ‘questionable’ with concussions, were cleared and will start against the Chargers.