Concerned over the continuing physical problems of standout left tackle Tony Boselli, the Jacksonville Jaguars added a veteran insurance policy on Tuesday, signing Todd Fordham to a one-year contract.

Fordham, 27, played the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Jaguars before signing with the Denver Broncos as an unrestricted free agent this past summer. Although he was told he would compete for a starting job with his new team, Fordham never really got a chance because of injuries and he was released.

His one-year contract, agent Ray Anderson confirmed for ESPN.com, is for the veteran minimum base salary of $477,000. That will be prorated over the rest of this season.

"It's a good opportunity for him," Anderson said. "He knows the people down there and they know him. It probably would have happened sooner, but the Jaguars just didn't have the money at the time."

Indeed, the Jaguars had hoped to bring back Fordham the week of the season opener, but their salary cap squeeze precluded that.

The addition of Fordham provides the Jaguars a proven blocker who can play either the right or left side. Boselli missed last Sunday's game with what sources have said is a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He is expected to play this week and will attempt to delay any surgery until the end of this season.

Fordham originally signed with Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent. In four seasons, he played in 28 games and started nine of them. That included nine starts in 2000, when he blossomed into a power-blocking force on the right side.

Not noted for his athleticism, Fordham nonetheless has worked hard to make himself an above-average player.

The Jags used second-year pro Aaron Koch in Boselli's spot last week and he struggled. The starting right tackle, Maurice Williams, is a rookie second-round draft choice.

Len Pasquarelli is an ESPN.com senior NFL writer.