The Baltimore Ravens swooped in and signed recently released wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh on Monday, a move followed a couple hours later by a trade of pass catcher Mark Clayton to St. Louis.

Houshmandzadeh, who turns 33 later this month, has a one-year deal to join a Baltimore team that has bolstered its receiving corps in the offseason.

Houshmandzadeh was let go over the weekend after just one season in Seattle, during which he caught 79 passes for 911 yards and three touchdowns. The Seahawks signed him to a five-year contract for $40 million US last season, with $15 million guaranteed.

Seattle will be on the hook for the lion's share of his $7-million salary this season.

"The first things that pop out at you about T.J. are that he has been very productive and durable in his first nine years in the NFL,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement. “We had interest in him a year ago when he first became a free agent before he signed with Seattle."

Houshmandzadeh spent seven seasons with Cincinnati prior to heading to the Pacific Northwest. He has 586 career catches and 40 touchdown receptions, for a total of 6,693 yards.

Anquan Boldin and Donte' Stallworth were acquired earlier this year to join returning Ravens Clayton and Derrick Mason in the receiver corps. But Stallworth will miss a number of weeks after breaking his foot in the preseason.

The Houshmandzadeh move made Clayton expendable, and he was dealt to the Rams for an undisclosed draft pick.

Clayton caught 234 passes and 12 touchdowns in five seasons in Baltimore, but is coming off his least productive season as a pro. The receiver hauled in just 34 receptions, for two touchdowns.

Baltimore selected Clayton 22nd overall in the 2005 NFL draft.

The Ravens open the season on the road with a Sept. 13 night game against the New York Jets.