Luke Kuechly to undergo surgery after playing Super Bowl with partially torn labrum

Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly will undergo surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder, according to the Charlotte Observer. The defensive star had been playing with the injury since the team's Jan. 3 regular season finale against the Buccaneers.

Kuechly's return ahead of OTAs and minicamps is questionable, but he is expected to be back in full force before training camp in July.

Kuechly sat out three games at the beginning of the year with a concussion, the first time he's missed a game in his four years with the team. He came back with a vengeance, amassing 118 total combined tackles, 10 passes defended and four interceptions -- including one pick-six -- in just the regular season.

He was not going to sit again following the shoulder injury in Week 17 of the regular season, and rather wore a brace on his left shoulder throughout the postseason. The three-time first team All-Pro recorded 29 combined total tackles, four passes defended and a sack -- in addition to two picks -- during the playoffs.

Two other Panthers are set to have surgeries to repair torn labrums this offseason, defensive ends Mario Addison and Ryan Delaire.