Seyi

Ajirotutu

Coach Ron Rivera expects David Gettis (ACL surgery) to challenge for playing time, and Seyi Ajirotutu has stood out in the first week. LaFell is the heavy favorite to keep the job, however, leaving Gettis, Ajirotutu and Louis Murphy to vie for snaps in the No. 3 role.

Ajirotutu entered camp in need of a big preseason, but instead caught just two passes for 18 yards across Carolina’s four exhibition tilts. It bodes poorly for Ajirotutu’s future that he couldn’t carve out a role in the Panthers’ thin receiver corps.

This is the same Ajirotutu who caught one pass in 14 games last season. Barring an exceptionally poor preseason, Brandon LaFell should have Carolina’s No. 2 job locked down, leaving Ajirotutu to compete with David Gettis and Louis Murphy for No. 3 duties. It would be surprising if Ajirotutu ended up higher than fourth or fifth on the depth chart.

Ajirotutu didn’t see a single target in Week 13. No higher than fourth on the depth chart, he will be a candidate for injured reserve if the hand is broken.

Ajirotutu was targeted just the one time and capitalized on it with a slick 28-yard third-down diving catch on the opening series. He was only forced into minimal action due to Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal being out with hamstring injuries. Ajirotutu will go back to fourth or fifth receiver duties in Week 10.

25-year-old Ajirotutu was among the Panthers’ final cuts in late August. He began his career in San Diego and knows Norv Turner’s offense. Ajirotutu will serve as a fourth or fifth receiver, replacing injured Richard Goodman.

Ajirotutu had his hand in a cast after last week’s game. He had three catches for 45 yards in three games with the Chargers. Michael Spurlock will likely see increased snaps, though he’s far from a fantasy option. A special teamer and extra blocker in jumbo packages, Molk suffered a thumb injury in Week 13.

Crayton, Brown and Mouton all did not practice this week and were expected to sit out. Bryan Walters is filling in as the No. 3 receiver. English is healthy, but the coaches want him to get a few more practices under his belt before playing.

They’re participating in the Browns’ voluntary workouts on a tryout basis. Both played for new Browns OC Norv Turner in San Diego. Naanee and Ajirotutu combined for just 196 snaps on offense last season, and are longshots to earn roster spots.

The Chargers will have to deal with Vincent Jackson’s looming suspension early in the season, and there is an opening for the team’s No. 5 receiver position. Banks has spent the last two seasons on the practice squad.