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Keary Colbert might have figured that losing was a thing of the past.

After experiencing a sub-.500 mark (5-7) as a freshman at Southern Cal, Colbert's collegiate career concluded with three straight winning seasons, including his senior year when the Trojans won a split of the national championship. Nearly four months after his team's Rose Bowl victory, the wide receiver was drafted by the Panthers -- the Super Bowl runners-up.

Now, all of the past success must seem like a lifetime ago. Colbert, who only experienced three losses in his final two seasons at USC, finds himself in the midst of a five-game skid following the Panthers' 23-17 defeat to Seattle on Sunday.

"It's difficult just because of the fact that we're losing," said Colbert, who had his second 100-yard receiving game against Seattle. "It has nothing to do about what they did last year. We're trying to win games and we're not coming out victorious in the end."

As has been the case with other recent Super Bowl losers (Raiders, Rams, Giants and Falcons), it appears a switch has been flicked on the Panthers (1-6). And perhaps the most significant difference between this season and last year is injuries, the main reason why Colbert has been thrust into the starting lineup.

The second-rounder, who was overshadowed by collegiate teammates Kareem Kelly and Mike Williams, figured to be gradually brought into the mix. But when speedster Steve Smith went down with a season-ending injury in the opener, Carolina was forced to accelerate Colbert's learning curve.

In his first two outings, Colbert put up modest numbers (seven catches, 86 yards). But in a Week 4 loss at Denver, the 6-foot-1 wideout broke out, catching four passes for 115 yards and his second touchdown of the season.

And while Carolina hadn't gotten the good fortune it did a season ago when it won so many nailbiters, Colbert believed the Panthers could overcome a 17-10 deficit heading into the fourth quarter on Sunday.

"We were confident because they had been in that position before and failed," the receiver told The Seattle Times.

Two of Colbert's four catches came in the fourth quarter, including a 63-yarder that set up Jake Delhomme's seven-yard scoring pass to Muhsin Muhammad. However, the Panthers failed to recover the onside kick and Seattle ran out the clock.

"We're working hard during the week. We play to win and it's just not falling our way right now," Colbert said. "We have to keep fighting through and find a way to win."

With upcoming games against the Raiders, 49ers and Cardinals (a combined 5-17), a win is more likely to come sooner than later.

Each Tuesday during the regular season, ESPN.com reviews rookie performances. Here are some notes on other rookies throughout the league:

Observations
Day off After a turbulent spring and summer that included switching agents twice and being fined for leaving the NFL's rookie symposium early, things had been going pretty well for Sean Taylor this fall. But a day after skipping practice following his arrest on a drunken driving charge last week, the Washington Redskins rookie safety was deactivated for Sunday's loss to the Packers and told to stay away from the club until Monday.
Down to earth After running over the competition in his first three starts, Vikings running back Mewelde Moore was a non-factor against the Giants on Sunday. The fourth-rounder from Tulane, who had combined for at least 168 offensive yards in each of the previous three games, was held to just 55 yards in the loss to the Giants. In addition, Moore suffered an ankle sprain in the game, but Vikings coach Mike Tice has already said the rookie will start against Indianapolis on Monday Night Football if he's healthy.
Late-round finds Several late-rounders or free agents failed to make regular season rosters this summer. But on Sunday, Lance Frazier (undrafted), and Nathan Jones (seven-rounder), were making plays in Dallas' win over Detroit. Frazier, one possession after getting beat for a touchdown by David Kircus, had a game-clinching interception with 1:43 left in the fourth quarter. Jones had Dallas' only sack of the day and also was in on five tackles.

CB Randall Gay, New England
The undrafted LSU alumnus was rudely welcomed into the contest against Pittsburgh on Sunday. Gay, who had just replaced injured veteran Ty Law in the first quarter, got beat for a 47-yard touchdown by Plaxico Burress in what would become New England's first loss in 22 games. In the third quarter, Gay knocked away a pass to Hines Ward in the back of the end zone. He finished with four tackles in the contest.

FB Troy Fleming, Tennessee
For the second time this season, a Fleming touchdown contributed to a Titans victory. The sixth-rounder from Tennessee had two receptions for 50 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown in the third quarter in the win over Cincinnati.

RB Joey Harris, Carolina
Another Panther getting more time than initially projected is the non-drafted free agent from Purdue. Harris, with just two carries through the first seven games, had nine rushes for 45 yards against Seattle. However, he experienced the same misfortune that afforded him the opportunity in the first place -- an injury. He left the game with a shoulder contusion after taking a big hit from Seattle free safety Ken Hamlin. "It's fine. I just aggravated it a little," said Harris, who could see his role limited again if Stephen Davis returns against the Raiders next weekend.

QB Craig Krenzel, Chicago
Krenzel is now 2-0 against 49ers quarterback Ken Dorsey. Less than two years after beating Dorsey and the Miami Hurricanes for the 2002 national championship, the former Ohio State alumnus won his first start NFL start as the Bears beat San Francisco on Sunday. Krenzel, Chicago's third starting quarterback this season, was 13-of-25 passing for 168 yards with a touchdown and interception. "As long as Craig functions the way he did Sunday night, you can't help but say, 'Hey, there's some energy there, there's some quarterback playmaking skill there, there's some movement in the pocket there," offensive coordinator Terry Shea told the Daily Southtown.

LB Teddy Lehman, Detroit
The second-rounder from Oklahoma has become a key contributor for the Lions. Lehman, who is second on the team with 43 tackles, had eight against Dallas and has at least seven in each of the last four games.

S Girbil Wilson, N.Y, Giants
The fifth-rounder from Tennessee continues to establish himself as a playmaker in the secondary. Wilson intercepted Daunte Culpepper and returned it 40 yards to set up an eventual touchdown run by Tiki Barber in the win over Minnesota. Wilson finished the game with six tackles and also had a pass deflection.

James C. Black is NFL Editor II for ESPN.com.