>>Panthers LB Suspended For Hit On Packers WR Adams

 

Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis has been suspended for two games by the NFL following his helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams.

 

The league announced the decision Monday.

 

Adams left Sunday's 31-24 loss to Carolina in the third quarter with a concussion after being blindsided by Davis following a Carolina interception. Davis was penalized 15 yards, but not ejected.

 

Davis, the 2015 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, was visibly upset on the sideline after the play.

 

Adams, who has suffered two concussions this season, took to social media on Monday to criticize Davis, saying there is no room in the game for hits like that.

 

Davis has three days to appeal.

 

The 34-year-old Davis is a repeat offender in the league's eyes. He was fined $48,620 for a hit earlier this year on Tampa Bay wide receiver Adam Humphries.

 

Davis can return to the Panthers on Jan. 1 should the team qualify for the postseason. Carolina (10-4) can clinch a playoff spot on Sunday with a win against Tampa Bay (4-9).

 

>>McCarthy Not Ruling Out Rodgers Vs Minnesota

 

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy left the door open for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to play against the Minnesota Vikings this weekend.

 

"Aaron Rodgers is sore, rightfully so," McCarthy said Monday night, one day after Rodgers' return from a fractured right collarbone wasn't enough in the Packers' 31-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers. "He was hit too many times, took two big hits. So we're working through that. So we'll see what tomorrow brings."

 

McCarthy made the comments before the Atlanta Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to eliminate the Packers from playoff contention and mark the end of the team's eight-year run of consecutive postseason berths.

 

Despite the return of Rodgers, who broke his collarbone Oct. 15 at Minnesota and missed the next seven games, the Packers put their streak in jeopardy by losing to the Panthers when a late rally fell short. After throwing three interceptions while looking rusty earlier in the game, Rodgers threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Richard Rodgers with 2:43 left in the game. The Packers then recovered the onside kick and were in position to force overtime when wide receiver Geronimo Allison fumbled at the Carolina 28-yard line with 1:50 to go.