The Carolina Panthers met with offensive guard Travelle Wharton on Tuesday, but the veteran lineman left without a contract. Wharton is heading to Denver where a deal could be done by the end of the week, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN.

It's not too difficult to see the roadblocks in signing Wharton immediately. If his rehabilitation hasn't progressed there's a good chance he would miss the start of the season, and if healthy Wharton would command more money than the Panthers are willing to spend -- even on a one-year deal.

Two players have been linked to Carolina in the last month, both of whom would have been major upgrades at the Panthers' most dire positions. First came Quintin Mikell, who was linked to the Panthers in early-July. It's said Carolina met with the veteran strong safety, but there has been not further indications that talks progressed. Now Wharton, who would have plugged in as the Panthers' starting right guard is leaving without a deal too.

It's Dave Gettleman's job to reconcile his current roster, while keeping his rollover cap space as free as possible. Now's not the time to spend too much of 2014's available space with looming extensions for Greg Hardy and Brandon LaFell.

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