Allgemeines » es had the Andretti organization, his te

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-NFL Zach Allen Cardinals Jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Kyler Murray Cardinals Jersey . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. http://www.thecardinalsshoponline.com/Youth-Adrian-Wilson-Cardinals-Jersey/ . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. Byron Murphy Jersey . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Kyler Murray Jersey . PAUL, Minn. SONOMA, Calif. -- Andretti Autosport locked in driver Ryan Hunter-Reay and sponsor DHL Express through the 2020 IndyCar season.The contract extensions were signed Sunday before the season finale at Sonoma Raceway. Hunter-Reay had not been stressed about his future -- his existing deal ran through 2017 -- and he never considered testing the free-agent market.Still, it was a welcome development on this hectic week for Hunter-Reay. He welcomed the birth of his third son with wife, Beccy, just hours before his father-in-law was discovered dead in an apparent murder suicide. Beccys father, Baja Bob Gordon was discovered dead from a gunshot wound Wednesday evening alongside his wife Sharon, who had been strangled.Hunter-Reay had to travel to California for the season finale a day later, and hes used his time at the track as an escape to focus on only on his race car. He knew an extension was in the works, but wasnt sure it would be completed before the end of the season until he actually signed on Sunday morning.Im very happy about this, and obviously its been a lot of highs and a lot of lows, Hunter-Reay said. Just been a wild ride the last week.He praised the strength of his wife, who celebrated her birthday Friday, as well as her three siblings, which include racing star Robby Gordon.Beccy is doing an amazing. Shes strong, Hunter-Reay said. Focusing on a new baby has been a blessing at this time. Its amazing she is, how strong Robby has been, her sisters Robyn and Haylee. Its blown me away because this is nothing you can compare to, this isnt as simple as a life passing.Hes had the Andretti organization, his teammates, and a suppoortive team from DHL to keep him focused this weekend.ddddddddddddDHL has been with Andretti since 2011, and its renewal was revealed on the same day longtime IndyCar sponsor Target marked its final race after 27 years. Target has been the primary sponsor for Chip Ganassi and was considered one of the longest partnerships in sports.Now DHL will move into that role as this deal progresses. DHL first began working with Andretti in 2005 and expanded into a full-time sponsor of the No. 28 six years later.Hunter-Reay, who began with Andretti on a three-race deal, has grown into the most successful active American driver in the IndyCar Series with 16 victories, 36 podiums, a win in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 and a championship in 2012.Not too shabby for a driver who bounced around in the early part of his career, trying to make something stick.When it comes to getting in the car and opportunities, Im a fighter, he said. I was on the brink in 2006, 2007, it was maybe a month away from going and doing something else with my life. Every time I got in the car, I knew I had to prove myself immediately. It was never a two-year deal where I could take my time developing.So to have DHL and Andretti behind him through 2020 is a luxury IndyCar drivers spend an entire career chasing.You dont have to think about the pressure involved. You can just go out there and put everything on the line, he said. You can overstep the edge, or if you try to make that pass and it doesnt work out, its not going to be blowback on you. ' ' '