First place in the NFC South is on the line between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers this Sunday, and unfortunately, tight end Coby Fleener will not be available.

The former Indianapolis Colt suffered a concussion in last week's game against the Los Angeles Rams, and while it will definitely keep him out this week, it could linger on beyond that.

From the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

Saints TE Coby Fleener, in the concussion protocol after a nasty hit from Rams CB Blake Countess, is out this week, source said. This could linger, and he's week-to-week after that.

Fleener actually went back into the game after sustaining the hit from Countess that gave him the injury, but head coach Sean Payton maintained that they handled the process properly.

On the season, the Stanford product has 22 catches for 295 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In his absence, tight ends Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui will likely receive an uptick in snaps.

The Saints had won eight games in a row before falling to the Rams. At 8-3, they're tied with the Carolina Panthers atop the division. Earlier this season, New Orleans' defense broke out in a dominating 34-13 victory over Cam Newton & company.

There's a chance the Saints will also be without their starting two cornerbacks for the second straight week. Star rookie Marshon Lattimore and his counterpart Ken Crawley were inactive against the Rams, and while the Saints are hopeful Crawley will be available against Carolina, Lattimore's status is more precarious.