Panthers G/C Geoff Hangartner has retired from the NFL after eight seasons.

Hangartner, 32 next month, appeared in eight games, making two starts, for the Panthers last season after signing off the street in November. He played in 118 games total, starting 85 of them, in six seasons with Carolina and two with Buffalo. Hangartner was set to become a free agent at 4 PM ET.

Free agent G/C Geoff Hangartner is believed to be considering retirement.

Hangartner spent the first half of 2013 on the street, and played sparingly after signing with the Panthers in November. Going on 32, Hangartner was a fifth-round pick in 2005.

Panthers signed G/C Geoff Hangartner.

Free agent G/C Geoff Hangartner will take a physical for the Panthers on Tuesday.

The Panthers lost G/C Jeff Byers to a season-ending Lisfranc injury Sunday, and RG Chris Scott is battling a knee issue. Hangartner, 31, was released by Carolina on August 1. He could slide back into the lineup at right guard.

The Cardinals "recently discussed" free agent G/C Geoff Hangartner, but "decided to pass."

It's the first we've heard of Hangartner since his release last Thursday. Hangartner is versatile along the interior, but was a sub-replacement level player last season. He should latch on somewhere in short order, but will have his work cut out to make a 53-man roster.

Panthers released G/C Geoff Hangartner.

Panthers re-signed G/C Geoff Hangartner to a three-year contract.

The Charlotte Observer expects free agent Geoff Hangartner to re-sign with the Panthers.

Hangartner started all 16 games at right guard but could be expendable with guard/tackles Geoff Schwartz and Garry Williams returning from injuries. Entering his age 30 season, he'll likely command a salary similar to the $2.8 million he earned in 2011.

Geoff Hangartner will start at right guard in the season opener.

It's not great news for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Bills cut ties with Hangartner because they believed he no longer possessed enough drive in the running game. He was just re-signed by the Panthers early this week.

Panthers signed C/G Geoff Hangartner.

Hangartner was cut by the Bills on Saturday even though he started 22 games for them over the last two seasons. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Panthers before bolting for Buffalo as a free agent in 2009.

Bills waived or released C Geoff Hangartner, LB Brandon Hicks, DE T.J. Langley, DE Lionel Dotson, CB Doyle Miller, WR Naaman Roosevelt, G Michael Switzer, OT Jason Watkins, G Mansfield Wrotto, C Danny Aiken, WR Kamar Aiken, WR Craig Davis, QB Levi Brown, RB Jehuu Caulcrick, TE Mike Caussin, CB Reggie Corner and S Sidney Glover.

Hangartner started 22 games for Buffalo the past two seasons, but was one of many Bills' offensive linemen to struggle mightily during the preseason. Levi Brown earned his release with a poor preseason, as well. Roosevelt was done in by an ankle injury.

Bills declared C Geoff Hangartner, third QB Levi Brown, FB Jehuu Caulcrick, TE Mike Caussin, OT Ed Wang, OT Colin Brown, NT Kellen Heard, and DL John McCargo inactive for Week 16.

Eric Wood will start at center, while Demetrius Bell and Chris Kelsey will both be active. There are no surprises in Buffalo.

Bills C Geoff Hangartner (questionable, knee) may dress for Sunday's Week 16 game but will not start, according to Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com.

Earlier this week coach Chan Gailey suggested that the team would not rush Hangartner back for Sunday's matchup with New England. Brown is a reliable source, though we doubt Hangartner would serve as anything more than a reserve come Sunday. Eric Wood will plow the way at center for RB Fred Jackson, our No. 16 ranked running back play.

Bills coach Chan Gailey said C Geoff Hangartner (knee) likely won't be ready for Week 16, but he left open the door for a return in Week 17.

"If we were out of linemen, Geoff might be able to get ready to play by Sunday, but we're not pushed into that," Gailey said. "I'm thinking that if we can let him get healthy one more week, that wouldn't hurt anything. I don't want to push him back too quick this time of the season." Eric Wood has been up and down as Hangartner's replacement.

Bills C Geoff Hangartner (knee) has already been ruled out for Week 15.

"He won't be ready this week. It's going to be close, really, the rest of the year on him, but he's getting better," coach Chan Gailey said. Eric Wood slid over from guard to fill in for Hangartner Sunday and did a nice job. Colin Brown is expected to be brought in for depth on the line.

The Bills fear that C Geoff Hangartner (knee) is done for the season.

Hangartner is set for an MRI, but coach Chan Gailey is not optimistic. It's a crippling blow to an offensive line that is already ravaged and struggling. Left guard Andy Levitre was forced to finish yesterday's loss at center after backup Kraig Urbik went down.

Bills C Geoff Hangartner left Sunday's game with a knee injury and will not return.

Like OLB Antonio Coleman (knee), Hangartner was ruled out quickly, which we never like to see. The Bills have the thinnest offensive line in football.