A key piece in the Carolina Panthers' defense is aiming to get better ahead of the 2016 season as linebacker Luke Kuechly will undergo a shoulder surgery for an injury sustained in Week 17 of the previous season. 

The Panthers were facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Kuechly suffered a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder. 

However, the injury did not stop Kuechly from seeing action and played all of Carolina's next games including Super Bowl 50 last Feb. 7. 

Unfortunately, Kuechly and the Panthers' efforts did not pay off the way they wanted it to as a stellar season ended with a Super Bowl defeat to the Denver Broncos. 

However, Kuechly can join the team in its attempt to repeat what was accomplished last season and aim for better results since, according to ESPN, the surgery is not expected to sideline him for the upcoming 2016 season. 

The report added that the recovery time for the 24-year-old is three to six months, which is expected to keep him out for Carolina's offseason workouts, but he will be ready for training camp in July, a source shared with the news outlet. 

Kuechly played in 13 regular season games in the 2015 season and led the team with his 118 tackles that came with one sack.  

In the Panthers' postseason run, the ninth overall pick in the 2012 National Football League (NFL) Draft recorded 29 tackles and one sack in three games. 

If one Panther is looking to improve and be ready for another possible Super Bowl season, another Panther is leaving the game and the NFL after 12 seasons. 

Defensive end Jared Allen, who spent his only and last year with the Panthers last season, announced through a video posted on Twitter his retirement. 

Allen was a five-time Pro Bowler and before playing for the Panthers also spent his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and the Chicago Bears.