Gamecocks In the Pros: Former South Carolina O-lineman Travelle Wharton to retire?

Jan 12, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers guard Travelle Wharton (70) blocks as San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) defends during the second quarter of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Former South Carolina Gamecocks offensive guard Travelle Wharton played a big part in the Carolina Panthers’ most successful season in a while. The former All-SEC guard played his first eight seasons with the Panthers before being released, was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals but never played a snap due to injury, then returned to Carolina after his contract with the Bengals was terminated. Despite the team allowing 43 sacks, they went 12-4 and won the NFC South division.

Now, though, it looks like Wharton may be thinking about hanging up the cleats for good.

Wharton is currently a free agent after signing a one-year deal with the Panthers before the 2013 campaign. Unfortunately for him, with each passing day, it looks like there isn’t much of a market for him right now. (Of note: he’s been a part of three of the franchise’s five playoff seasons, two of which were division champs.)

Wharton hasn’t made anything final yet, but if things don’t open up soon, he might be all done.