Highlights from Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera's Friday comments to Panthers' media.

LB Luke Kuechly is listed as doubtful. So you're still hoping he can play Sunday?
"He progressed in the protocol today and tomorrow's a big day."

Do you know if he's been cleared for non-contact?
"I don't know that."

Do you anticipate he'll go through non-contract drills tomorrow?
"If he's cleared, he's going to have to go through everything tomorrow. So we'll have to do everything tomorrow and we'll see how it goes."

What's the latest you'll go in making the decision?
"Tomorrow. We're going to get an answer. I don't think we'll get the answer today, I know we'll get the answer tomorrow. That's the one thing I can tell you. He's in the protocol, he's progressed in the protocol, but tomorrow everything's got to be answered."

What's your gut say?
"I'm letting the independent go through the process. I have not looked at what the process is other than to tell you he's in the protocol. What the independent decides, he decides. He's the independent, I have no control over that."

Have you ever had a situation where a player was cleared and you held him out?
"It goes back to Cam. That opener, we could have easily played him. He was cleared to play, there were just too many reasons not to. We have to be smart, and we're going to be very smart with Luke. We're going to weigh all the possibilities. The other thing to look at is who we play coming up. You know I like to take it one game at a time, but as we look at the schedule as it comes up, we've got four conference games and two of those are division games. There's a lot of things that are going to weigh into this. And as I said, when the independent decides it's time, he'll see him, and when it's time to clear him, he'll get cleared. I'm like Luke, I'm chomping at the bit, but at the same time, you have to be careful."

Typically if you're doubtful, you don't play? Is that correct?
"Yeah, that's typical. But again, I have no control over what the independent decides."

But you guys could still hold him out even if he's cleared, right?
"Yes, that we most certainly can, but whatever the independent says is what we're going with."

If A.J. Klein is starting for Kuechly and he's not on special teams, how would you adjust?
"It would have to be David Mayo. If A.J.'s the starter, David comes in and he's active this week."

Are you confident DT Star Lotulelei will play?
"We'll see. He had a good day, though, I'm not going to discount that, he had a really good day."

How do you feel about WR Kevin Norwood this week?
"I feel good about him. He's had a good week. He's progressed very nicely. In our discussions later this afternoon, there will be a lot of consideration."