Roberts was apparently having issues with the knee in training camp before aggravating the injury in the opener against the Browns. Shi Smith, Chuba Hubbard, and Laviska Shenault are internal candidates to fill the veteran returner's roles on kickoffs and punts. 

Roberts, now 34, went to three straight Pro Bowls from 2018-2020 as a return man and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2018 with the Jets. The Panthers will be his fourth team since then after spending two seasons with the Bills and splitting last year between the Texans and Chargers. Roberts has six career touchdown returns, three each on kickoffs and punts.

It didn't take long for Roberts to find a home after getting cut by Houston earlier this week. He is coming off three straight Pro Bowl nods as a returner and leads the league with 18 kick returns on the year. He won't get many (if any) snaps at receiver for the Chargers but should take over as their primary kick returner. 

33-year-old Roberts inked a two-year deal with the rebuilding Texans over the offseason. He played 26 offensive snaps for Houston, catching a 35-yard pass on two targets. As a returner, Roberts has returned a league-high 18 kickoffs with a long of 38 yards. He was a Pro Bowl selection each of the last three seasons as a return man.