The Carolina Panthers have signed linebacker Abdul Hodge, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports.

Hodge takes the roster spot of linebacker Jamar Williams, who was placed on injured reserve.

A third-round pick (67th overall) out of Iowa by the Green Bay Packers in 2006, Hodge had 10 tackles in 8 games as a rookie before missing 2007 with a knee injury.

Waived by the Packers before the start of the 2008 season, Hodge was signed to the Bengals' practice squad. Activated a few weeks later, Hodge had three special teams tackles before an arm injury landed him on IR.

Hodge was active for all 16 games last season, tying for the Bengals' lead in special teams tackles (11) and recovering a fumble. Cincinnati tendered the restricted free agent at the "Original Round" level, but released him at the end of this year's training camp.