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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 11:59 a.m., Tuesday, September 9, 2008

NFL: Jaguars sign 2 to bolster depleted offensive line

Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Looking to bolster their offensive line following injuries to guards Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed veterans Milford Brown and Chad Slaughter today.

The Jaguars placed Manuwai, a former University of Hawaii star, on injured reserve and waived rookie cornerback Isaiah Gardner. The team also waived offensive tackle Cliff Louis from the practice squad.

Manuwai tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee Sunday at Tennessee. Williams ruptured his right biceps in pregame warmups and is out indefinitely.

Brown signed with Carolina as an unrestricted free agent in March and was released in final cuts last month. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound guard has started 43 career games with Houston, Arizona and St. Louis. The former Florida State standout was originally drafted by the Texans in the sixth round of the supplemental draft in 2002.

Slaughter signed with Baltimore in July and was released in final cuts. The 6-8, 340-pound offensive tackle spent five seasons with the Oakland Raiders (2001-06) after spending his rookie year in 2000 with Dallas and the New York Jets.

He originally signed with Dallas as an undrafted rookie out of Alcorn State, and has seven career starts — all with the Raiders.

The moves left Jacksonville with two injured starters on the 53-man roster, Williams and center Brad Meester. Meester (biceps) is expected to miss at least the first four games.