Mike

Scifres

A bilateral hernia and abdominal tear hindered Scifres throughout 2009, as he finished with his lowest yards-per-punt average (45.0) since 2006. The mark was still good enough to rank top-ten in the NFL, and fourth in the AFC.

He’ll compete with Swayze Waters for Carolina’s punting job. Once one of the NFL’s top punters, Scifres’ career has been derailed by injury. Still only 35 -- which is young for a punter -- Scifres will get a shot to revive his career under Ron Rivera, who formerly spent time on San Diego’s coaching staff.

Scifres took a shot to the leg early in the game. He shanked the next punt before being ruled out. Kasey Redfern, who Scifres is competing with for the starting job, will close out the game.

Kaeding is dealing with a bruised leg, so the Chargers want to find another option to kick off. Former Chiefs K Dave Rayner is among those expected to tryout, though the Chargers could go with current P Mike Scifres.