Before he even took a question Thursday, Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera knew what reporters were about to ask.

For nearly two weeks, the status of linebacker Luke Kuechly has been the top story around the team, one that still doesn’t have a clear ending.

“He’s in the protocol, he went through another step today, non-contact, and we’ll wait to see what happens,” Rivera said moments after he stepped to the podium. “I do believe he’s going to visit with one of the doctors eventually, soon, I’m not quite sure when.”

As far as which doctor Kuechly is scheduled to see, Rivera said he wasn’t sure. Once a player clears the non-contact stage, he then has to pass tests from both a team doctor and an independent neurologist.

Thursday’s practice was much like Wednesday’s for Kuechly, who suffered a concussion 11 days ago in Jacksonville. He wasn’t in pads or wearing a helmet, but he ran around and caught some balls in a few early drills. It was more like the ‘light exercise’ portion of the NFL’s concussion protocol than the ‘non-contact’ stage.

According to Rivera, Kuechly hasn’t had a setback and he didn’t suffer an additional injury to his neck. His timeline, and this waiting without many clear answers, is just the new NFL.

“It’s something that’s protecting the players, whether we like it or not,” linebacker Thomas Davis said. “It’s something that in the long run is going help not only further our careers but extend out life cycle.”

Sure, receiver Kelvin Benjamin played a week after a concussion last year and cornerback Josh Norman started at Jacksonville less than a week and a half after suffering one in the preseason finale, but those recoveries aren’t typical. More often, players miss multiple games after concussions. Norman’s first career concussion last year kept him out two games and receiver Corey Brown missed three.

The league may have reacted decades too late, but at least there’s now something in place that may prevent a serious injury from getting worse.

“If you left it up to us coaches, we’d try to get them all [back on the field] as soon as possible,” Rivera said.

“I think the players are the same way, I think they all want to try and get out there as fast as they can, and I think that’s the important thing about having the protocol. Guys have to understand that these things are out there to protect their health, first and foremost.

“We’re just starting to find out all these things the last few years about what the long-term effects are. So because we’re learning them now, I think we’re starting to do things that are helpful.”