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The Carolina Panthers' lengthy search for a third wide receiver might have ended with an unexpected battle for the No. 2 job.

The Panthers will bring in Rod Gardner, a starter for almost his entire four seasons with the Washington Redskins, for a physical on Thursday morning. If Gardner passes all medical tests, Carolina will send a sixth-round pick in 2006 to Washington, according to multiple league sources.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney and Gardner's agent, Joel Segal, confirmed the receiver will be in for a physical. Hurney confirmed a deal is likely if medical clearance is given (Gardner has had a relatively injury-free career). But Hurney and Segal would not say what the compensation would be. The sources said the draft-pick compensation also is conditional on Gardner making the roster, but that seems a certainty.

The Panthers were unsuccessful at landing a backup for starters Steve Smith and Keary Colbert in free agency and the college draft. But Gardner could be more than a backup. At very least, the Panthers will have three strong candidates for two starting jobs.

At 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, Gardner has the kind of size Carolina had sought since releasing Muhsin Muhammad in February. Gardner started 62 of 64 games with Washington, but it became obvious last season that his future with the Redskins was in doubt.

He was to have a $3.5 million salary-cap hit, and the Redskins had been shopping Gardner since the Senior Bowl in January. Initially, they were seeking a second-round pick for the former first-round choice from Clemson. The Panthers, who had kept an eye on Gardner's situation, would be responsible for $2 million base salary in the final year of his contract.

"Rod's very excited and looking forward to going to camp and competing," Segal said.

There was some thought the Redskins would be forced to release Gardner in a salary-cap move after June1, but they hung onto the receiver and continued to drop their price tag.

Gardner's numbers dropped last year and in 2003, after he had 71 catches for 1,006 yards and eight touchdowns in 2002. But the Panthers view Gardner as a strong possession receiver, who could pair well with speedsters Smith and Colbert, who is coming off a solid rookie season.

The addition of Gardner will allow veteran Ricky Proehl to be used as a situational receiver in the red zone and give prospect Drew Carter time to develop.