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SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The banged-up Carolina Panthers will be without star linebacker Luke Kuechly and two other key defenders Sunday while their playoff hopes hang by a thread.The 2015 All-Pro Kuechly and safety Kurt Coleman have been ruled out at Seattle (7-3-1 ) with concussions. Defensive end Mario Addison, the teams leader with 6 1-2 sacks, will miss his second straight game with a foot injury. Ron Riveras team desperately needs a win to hang in a crowded race for a playoff spot in the NFC.Kuechly traveled with the team to the Bay Area for practice at San Jose State; the team stayed on the West Coast to cut down on travel time. The Panthers lost to the Raiders last week 35-32, after surrendering an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter.I thought he did a really nice job, Rivera said of Kuechly, who spent the week in the concussion protocol. (He) just talked to the guys, was in communication with them. Well see how it goes.Kuechly will miss his second straight start after suffering a scary head injury in a victory over the Saints on Nov. 17. Fourth-year linebacker A.J. Klein will likely make his second straight start in place of the perennial Pro Bowler.Rivera said Klein, practiced really well during the week. Shaq Thompson, a first-round pick in 2015, could also rotate in. Michael Griffin and Tre Boston are expected to start at safety with Coleman out.Klein, a fifth-round pick in 2013, replaced Kuechly in three games early in 2015 after sustaining a concussion in the season opener. Klein had a forced fumble and five tackles against the Raiders, but was in coverage on a 47-yard completion to wide receiver Michael Crabtree, which set up the winning field goal in the fourth quarter.Perception is unfair because of what happened. The perception is he got beat. said Rivera. Theres more to the game and thats what I think people need to understand.Carolina is three games behind the NFC South-leading Atlanta (7-4) and behind the Washington Redskins (6-4-1) for the final wild-card spot. Five teams enter the weekend within a game of the final seed with five weeks left.The Panthers (4-7) have been decimated by injuries along the offensive line, and lately on defense, after remaining mostly injury free during their run to Super Bowl 50 last season. But Rivera likes his teams mindset despite 2016 not going to plan.I think its very good, I really do, Rivera said. They seem to be relaxed, loose and have good energy, which I think is important. So well see.The Panthers play the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field this week after getting two wins against them in the 2015 season, including the divisional round of the playoffs 31-24.Carolina will also be without right tackle Daryl Williams after suffering a left ankle injury in the second quarter against the Raiders. Right guard Trai Turner replaced Williams at tackle in the second half after not playing the position since high school.Additionally, the Panthers this week placed their top two centers Ryan Kalil (shoulder) and his backup Gino Gradkowski (knee) on injured reserve. Tyler Larsen is expected to make his first career start at center after playing his first offensive snaps last week against the Raiders. The only member of the offensive line playing in the same position he started the season is left guard Andrew Norwell.I thought theyve done well, Rivera said of the offensive line. I thought Trai Turners handled it very nicely. Its a real plus to have a guy like that.The Seahawks vaunted defense ranks first in scoring and seventh overall. Safety Earl Thomas (hamstring) and lineman Michael Bennett (knee) are listed as probable. Thomas missed his first career start last week when Seattle lost in Tampa Bay, 14-5. Bennett missed the last five games after having surgery on his knee.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLAir Jordan China . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Cheap Air Jordan Free Shipping . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. https://www.jordanchina.us/ . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. Fake Jordan . Oaklands loss to Seattle clinched the ALs best record for the Red Sox with one day to spare in the regular season. "I think everybody was kind of watching," catcher David Ross said. "Demp (Ryan Dempster) came out before he went to the bullpen and was just yelling that they lost. Jordan China . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007.SAN ANTONIO -- Gregg Popovich was reflective, loquacious, funny and even answered questions from the media without prompting. Its easy to say it was all a bit out of character for Popovich, but the circumstances were new to the San Antonio Spurs coach and all those who have followed them. San Antonio was 28 seconds away from going a perfect 5 for 5 in the NBA Finals under Popovich when everything went wrong. The Miami Heat rallied from a five-point deficit to tie Game 6, eventually winning in overtime Tuesday and then closing out their second straight title Thursday with a victory in Game 7. So, instead of preparing for a victory parade along the San Antonio River, the Spurs spent Saturday morning cleaning out their lockers at the teams practice facility. "I dont really want to do a soliloquy, but the elephant in the room is that were all hurting because we had an opportunity to win a championship right in the palm of our hands and it didnt happen," Popovich said. "So, that hurts, and it will dissipate over time, but right now it hurts everyone to varying degrees." San Antonio never trailed in the NBA Finals previously under Popovich and Tim Duncan, but they also never faced a player like LeBron James, not even when they swept a then 22-year-old James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2007 championship. James 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation helped tie Game 6 and his jumper with 1:43 left in overtime proved to be the winner in a 103-100 victory. He earned his second straight Finals MVP after finishing with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in Game 6 and 37 points and 12 boards in a 95-88 victory in Game 7. Will losing the title in such heartbreaking fashion makes it tougher for the Spurs to rebound next season and compete for another title? "Thats the kind of articles you guys write," Popovich said, deflecting the question before cracking a smile, "that we always read. ... I read every one of them, I swear, I swear, I read every one." Popovichs mood, along with the rest of the team, was lifted by the thousands of fans who greeted them at the airport Friday afternoon upon their return from Miami. The reception shamed, humbled, inspired and ultimately touched Popovich. "Ill be honest with you, when you saw the crowd, the first feeling I had was embarrassment," Popovich. "We wanted to bring it home for them so badly. Was just embarrassed that we didnt get it done and then as you look at them all and they just keep cheering you realize, my gosh, you really felt the love and the way they care for these guys and their team and then it did make it easier. Like, Hey, theyre with us. " Fans will likely be rooting for essentially the same team next season, which is good news for a franchise that won the Southwest Division title while reaching the post-season for the 16th consecutive year. Along with All-Star point guard Tony Parker, the most critical returning player is Duncan, who revived his career with two streenuous offseasons.dddddddddddd The 37-year-old forward has lost 30 pounds over the past two years, enabling him to earn All-NBA First Team honours for the first time in six years. He averaged 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and shot a career-best 82 per cent on free throws this season. "I have a contract that says I am," Duncan said following Game 7 when asked if would return next season. Asked specifically if he was planning on retiring, Duncan said, "Not right now." Manu Ginobili is another matter. His contract expires this summer and the 35-year-old guard was unsure of his plans following Game 7. Ginobili battled injuries and a declining game all season, and those struggles only exacerbated in the post-season. He averaged 11.5 points in the playoffs, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2003, and he committed eight turnovers in the Game 6 loss. Barring a career renaissance like Duncan is enjoying, Ginobilis place amongst the teams Big 3 is likely at an end. If Ginobili doesnt bounce back, the Spurs discovered a replacement in Kawhi Leonard. After averaging 11.9 points and 6.0 rebounds in the regular season, the second-year forward averaged 13.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in the post-season while stymieing James defensively for much of the finals. "(He is) unbelievably coachable, a hard worker," Popovich said. "Hes going to be a future star because hes like a babe in the woods, still. I dont even call plays for him and you see what he does out on the court. Hes just beginning to feel his way and he will be getting the ball more and more as time goes on." Leonard was invited to play for USA Basketball, but his availability is in doubt because of chronic knee soreness he experienced in the final months of the season. "Its obviously an honour, to be involved in USA basketball in any way, shape or form and Kawhi is thrilled with the selection," Popovich said, "but we need to talk to the doctors to make sure he is able to do it." Leonards continued development, along with those of younger players such as Danny Green, Gary Neal, Cory Joseph, Tiago Splitter and Nando De Colo will be key to the teams continued success because the Spurs are not expected to make any major trades or free-agent signings. "People have been telling us to get younger for the last 15 years, I think," Popovich said. "So, we stopped listening to that a long time ago. At one point, I guess we will be too old, who knows when that is. Going to the conference finals last year and Finals this year kind of proves that something is going right." With that, Popovich figuratively doffed his San Antonio Spurs cap at the media that had gathered on a Saturday morning and went back into the teams practice facility to continue working towards next season. "Thanks for everything," he said. "You guys were great all year long, and ladies, but I am happy I dont have to do it again until September." 18:25ET 22-06-13 ' ' '