July 27, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets injured player Jeff Otah (left) during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

After being traded to the New York Jets for a conditional 7th round draft pick, Jeff Otah failed the physical. That nixed the trade of course, and the Panthers made their parting official today by releasing the often-injured veteran.

Otah, who plans on continuing his career, will continue to work out and try to strengthen his knee, his agent said.

He was the 19th overall pick of the 2008 draft but has missed 31 of his last 35 games and ended each of his past three seasons on Injured Reserve. His knee may be too damaged for him to absorb the abuse it gets in a long 16-game season plus (hopefully) the playoffs.

In the meantime, Byron Bell filled the role last season and is expected to start again this season. Panthers GM Marty Hurney says he likes the young talent remaining on the roster at the position and likes the depth with Bruce Campbell and Garry Williams.

The organization picked up the vacant roster spot with CB Nate Ness. Ness has played for several different teams and is mainly a special teams guy, but in the little bit that I’ve seen him play, he can make some plays. He seems to have a nose for the football. Keep an eye on this guy; he might stick in Charlotte.

Dec 13, 2009; Foxborough, MA, USA; Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Jeff Otah (79) reacts after a play against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 20-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE

The Carolina Panthers have traded oft-injured tackle Jeff Otah to the New York Jets for an undisclosed conditional draft pick. Otah is in the final year of his rookie contract and is only about a $1 million cap help.

It looks to be just a business move. Otah hasn’t played 16 games in any of his first four seasons and only 4 games in ’10 and ’11 combined with knee injuries. With very limited work in mini-camp, he had to have an MRI look at it because of discomfort and swelling.

The Panthers would appear happy with Byron Bell, who filled in as the starter last season, and Bruce Campbell, whom they had earlier traded RB Mike Goodson for. The trade frees up a roster spot for a player that has room to grow and can stay healthy. Conversely, the move appears to try to light a fire under incumbent Jet RT Wayne Hunter. Perhaps they think they have a good player…between the two of them?

Tyrannosaurus Rex might be seen as reaching here, and each organization makes their own moves for the betterment of their team.

Rex Ryan needed depth or competition and may have gotten neither one, but at worst it might cost them a 7th-round pick is my guess so it fills a need for each team. The Panthers decided to cut ties with one player so they could make room for….?

Stay tuned when camp begins.

Earlier this weekend, Jeff Otah had to get an MRI on his left knee, which is the same knee that has limited him to four games out of the last thirty five.

Otah had tweaked his knee in non contact drills on the last day of OTA’s.  The results have been released and he is okay, but okay is not really good enough.

This makes fans wonder though, if simple drills can tweak his knee, will he be able to play at all this season.  It is unfortunate  for him he is in his last year of his rookie contract which means that unless he actually can play most of the games, he will probably be gone.

I really do not see any team that would pick him up next year if they are only going to get a good game every other year.

Coach Ron Rivera said this isn’t really a setback for the team, “But we just wanted to make sure everything’s OK.”; I am sure it is easy to say that when you have Jason Campbell or Bryon Bell in the depth chart.

Earlier this year, Otah’s agent said he was back to full health.  When he is fully healthy, you get a running game like back in 2008 and a playoff run.  Since he has been gone there really hasn’t been a superstar at the position.

I am not going to look into this too quickly, as he might not have a problem after all, but if by chance that something later on happens and is bad, Carolina might have to put him on the practice squad to avoid a wasted spot on the 53 man roster.