CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay reinjured his groin during practice Wednesday, forcing the team to scramble for a replacement.

It's still unclear how long Kasay will be out, but he will not play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

The team will audition free agents Jaret Holmes and Tim Seder Thursday before signing anyone.

This is the first major injury blow of the regular season to the Panthers, who are off to their best start since 1996 at 2-0.

"Any time you lose a starter to injury, it's a big blow,'' Panthers head coach John Fox said. "Whoever we bring in is going to have to step up and kick on Sunday.''

Kasay has been bothered by a groin problem for the past two months, which is why the team brought in Holmes during training camp. Kasay was off to the worst start of his 12-year NFL career, having made just 2-of-5 field goal attempts, both of those from inside 30 yards.

Last Sunday, Kasay had a 46-yard attempt blocked, while a 40-yarder sailed wide right. He missed a 50-yard attempt the first week.

Kasay missed the final three games of the 1999 season with a torn knee ligament in his kicking leg. While attempting to make a comeback the following summer he cracked his kneecap at training camp and spent all of 2000 on injured reserve.

Kasay returned last season and converted 23 of 28 field goal attempts, including a perfect 14-for-14 from inside 40 yards.

Entering this season, Kasay had 80.2 percent of his field goals in his career. He's one of the team's more popular players and the only one left from the original Panthers expansion team in 1995.