CHARLOTTE – The Carolina Panthers have signed free agent offensive lineman Travelle Wharton.

Wharton played the first eight seasons (2004-11) of his NFL career with the Panthers after being selected by the team in the third round of the 2004 draft. Wharton signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012 before suffering a knee injury and missing the season.

Wharton started all 99 games he played for the Panthers.