49ers legend Patrick Willis weighs in on ex-Panthers LB Luke Kuechly’s HOF candidacy

Patrick Willis is a newly minted Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, and he thinks another prolific linebacker from his generation could be wearing a gold jacket soon enough.

Willis, speaking at the Charlotte Touchdown Club luncheon at the Sheraton Hotel on Friday, said former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is headed for eventual enshrinement in Canton, Ohio.

“Certainly, I feel that he will be in the Hall of Fame when his time comes — whenever that may be,” Willis told The Observer.

Kuechly, who is in his first year of Pro Football Hall of Fame eligibility, spent his entire eight-year career in Carolina, just like Willis spent his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers. The comparisons don’t stop there, either.

Willis and Kuechly both went to seven Pro Bowls and were five-time first-team All-Pro selections during their respective NFL runs. Both received the honor of being the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, with Willis getting the kudos in 2007 and Kuechly earning the nod in 2012.

Kuechly, though, also won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2013.

“He had a tremendous career,” Willis said. “He did get the defensive player of the year (award), which was tremendous, and it was just an honor to play in the same time that he did.”

During his career, Willis put up eye-opening numbers before retiring at 30 in 2015. He collected 950 total tackles (60 for loss), 16 forced fumbles, 20.5 sacks and eight interceptions in 112 games.

Kuechly was comparably dominant, posting 1,092 tackles (75 for loss), seven forced fumbles, 18 interceptions, and 12.5 sacks in 118 career games before retiring in 2020 at 29.

Willis, the 11th overall draft pick in 2007, thinks Kuechly, the ninth overall pick in 2012, had a special career.

“He played the linebacker position amazingly,” Willis said. “Just being on the other side of the coast, I wasn’t always able to watch a lot of games. But most definitely, I always kept up with him, and rooted for him, and yeah, he was a tremendous player.”

Willis, who was inducted in August, was part of a Hall of Fame class that featured Panthers legend Julius Peppers, along with former Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Dwight Freeney and Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson. Kuechly could eventually join that group and many more of that ilk if he gets voted in during Super Bowl weekend in February.

“Being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a special moment,” Willis said. “Went in with a special class. The group that I went in with, maybe I’m a little bias (laughs), but I think we’re one of the best. It was just a tremendous time and a great honor.”

Panthers list 15 players on their final injury status report for Week 7

The Carolina Panthers listed 15 players on their final injury report on Friday heading into the Week 7 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

Among the group were pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, wide receiver Diontae Johnson and running back Jonathon Brooks.

Final injury status report for Week 7:

OUT: LB Claudin Cherelus (hamstring), LB Josey Jewell (hamstring/groin), OT Taylor Moton (elbow), LB Jon Rhattigan (knee/illness), DE A’Shawn Robinson (knee), RB Jonathon Brooks (NFI/knee)

Doubtful: OLB Jadeveon Clowney (shoulder), DE Jaden Crumedy (IR/ankle), DB Sam Franklin (IR/foot)

Questionable: WR Diontae Johnson (ribs/hamstring/ankle), TE Tommy Tremble (back/concussion), WR David Moore (knee), OT Yosh Nijman (knee), DE LaBryan Ray (ankle/knee), CB Dane Jackson (hamstring)

With Cherelus and Jewell out, the Panthers are likely to depend on Chandler Wooten opposite rookie Trevin Wallace at inside linebacker. Nijman, if active, will once again take the place of Moton at right tackle. Robinson will seemingly be replaced in the lineup by DeShawn Williams and some potential practice-squad call-ups.

Brooks, Jackson, Franklin and Crumedy all remain on their respective injury lists, and none of them need to be activated this weekend. Clowney will be replaced by a group led by Marquis Haynes, D.J. Johnson and Charles Harris against the Commanders. While listed as doubtful, Clowney said he doesn’t expect to play on Sunday.

Johnson, who suffered a rib injury during practice, will be a game-time decision. Head coach Dave Canales said he is comfortable with the wide receiver group, which will be headlined by Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo, if Johnson can’t play.