CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – The Carolina Panthers traded for Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Todd Fordham on Saturday to add some versatility to the unit.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said the team gave up a late-round 2005 pick for Fordham, but declined to specify which round.

The Panthers also released 14 players on Saturday, including veteran tackle Melvin Tuten, who became expendable with the addition of Fordham.

“Melvin gave it everything he had and we just decided to go a different route,” Fox said.

Fordham, 30, is a seven-year NFL veteran who has started 35 games over the past four seasons, including six last season for the Steelers. He spent his first six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he worked under Panthers offensive line coach Mike Maser.

He can play both guard and tackle, though Fox would not say where he immediately fits in Carolina.

The Panthers have been seeking an answer at right tackle since Adam Meadows abruptly retired in training camp, walking away from a five-year, $15 million contract.

Matt Willig hurt his knee and hasn’t practiced in more than two weeks, but is expected to be ready for the Sept. 13 regular season opener against Green Bay.

The others cut by the Panthers were quarterbacks Rod Rutherford and Rob Adamson, running back Joey Harris, wide receivers Scott McCready and Jon Olinger, guards Travis Claridge, Mike Houghton and Kualana Noa, defensive tackle Jordan Carstens, cornerback Marcus Floyd, offensive tackle Javiar Collins, linebacker Sean Tufts and long snapper Adam Johnson.

The Panthers must make four more roster moves by Sunday to reach the 53-player limit.

Baltimore Ravens

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Ravens tackle Jonathan Ogden hopes to play in the season opener after spraining a knee ligament in Baltimore’s final exhibition game.

Ogden, 6-foot-9 and 345 pounds, has played in 58 straight games. The seven-time Pro bowl players hasn’t missed a game since sitting out a win over Jacksonville in 2000. Right tackle Ethan Brooks most likely would move to the left side if Ogden misses any time.

Ogden injured his left medial collateral ligament in a 27-17 victory against the New York Giants on Thursday night and did not participate in a light practice leading to the opener.

“I’m walking, bending it,” he said Saturday. “It’s still too early to tell, but at least I’m making progress, and that’s a good thing. I’d say I’m 50-50.”

Ogden was leading running back Chester Taylor on a sweep when he fell and a group of players landed on his legs. He was assisted off the field by trainers. X-rays were not taken and a subsequent MRI was negative.

“I was like Why is this happening to me in the last preseason game?’ Ogden said. “I knew after about a minute that it wasn’t too serious. I just know I need to be out there against the Browns.”

In other news, the Ravens placed linebacker Peter Boulware (knee surgery) on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he cannot practice with the team until the regular season’s sixth week.

The team also released eight players, including three members of the 2002 draft class: cornerback Javin Hunter and return specialist Lamont Brightful (both sixth-round picks) and wideout Ron Johnson, a fourth-round selection who caught a touchdown pass against Carolina in the 2002 season opener.

The other cuts were offensive lineman Eric Dumas, cornerback Rashad Holman, tight end Nick Eller, safety Dave Revill and linebacker Brandon Rager.

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