CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 28 -- The Carolina Panthers waived veteran running back Barry Foster Monday and signed running back Derrick Moore. Foster, acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, gained 62 yards on 22 attempts in limited play during the preseason.
He had been bothered by recurring swelling in his right knee. 'There are no easy decisions when you reach this time of year and Barry was no exception,' said Panthers coach Dom Capers. 'There was concern about the amount of production in the preseason and how it would extend to the regular season.' Foster, 26, won the AFC rushing title in 1992 with 1,690 yards and was named to the Pro Bowl, but has missed 12 games over the last two seasons due to injury. The Steelers unloaded Foster for a sixth-round draft choice due to Foster's $2 million contract, his injury woes and the emergence of running back Bam Morris. Moore was a free agent after being cut by the San Francisco 49ers. He had been signed as a free agent by San Francisco away from the Detroit Lions, where he was used chiefly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Moore played in all 16 games for the Lions last season, carrying 27 times for 52 yards and four scores. He played in 13 games in 1993 and ran 88 times for 405 yards and three touchdowns, subbing for the injured Barry Sanders. The Panthers also acquired linebacker Travis Hill from the Cleveland Browns for past considerations; claimed defensive lineman Jeff Zgonina off waivers from the Steelers and wide receiver Michael Bates off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks; reached an injury settlement with cornerback James Williams andwaived him; and signed defensive lineman Jeff Fields to the practice squad.
