Cory

Procter

Procter, 27, appeared in 12 games last season with no starts, though he did start 11 games the previous year at right guard in place of Kyle Kosier. Dallas couldn’t find a trade partner, but Procter will get interest in free agency.

Procter, a backup interior lineman, signed his non-guaranteed restricted free agent tender last month so that he could be trade bait during draft weekend. But the Cowboys found no takers, so they let him go. Montrae Holland and Travis Bright are candidates to back up Andre Gurode at center now.

Procter, 27, was in Denver on Tuesday. Behind talent, both clubs value versatility as the No. 1 characteristic in offensive linemen. Procter can play both center and guard, and was an 11-game starter for the Cowboys in 2008.

Procter is drumming up quite a bit of interest. Assuming the Patriots let him leave Foxboro without a contract, the Fins will be the third team he’s visited in the last three days. All three clubs use power-blocking on the line.

The Broncos came away with two centers in the draft, but early indications suggest they could use veteran insurance. At the very least, Procter can handle a swing role on the interior.

The fit is ideal, as head coach Tony Sparano was Procter’s line coach in Dallas in 2007, and the Fins could use versatile veteran depth after shipping off Justin Smiley. Procter might also be a stopgap solution at left guard.

Davis was able to walk off the field under his own power, but the extent of the injury is unknown. Cory Procter, who hasn’t played in a regular-season game, would replace him.

Corey Procter, who played well after Gurode got hurt in Week 15, will start at center at Carolina. Courtney Brown will back up Ken Hamlin at free safety.

If Procter makes the team, he’ll earn $1.545 million. He’s moved back into a reserve role behind Kyle Kosier, however, and Ryan Gibbons would be a much cheaper alternative.

Procter, 26, started 11 games in place of injured LG Kyle Kosier last season and can play center in a pinch. He’ll enter 2009 as a top reserve.