The Jaguars today waived four players and placed guard Todd

Fordham on injured reserve, bringing the roster to their required limit

of 70, to complete their first mandatory cuts. Waived were: WR

James Battle, CB Anthony Mitchell, LB Brandon Southward and

TE Mark Thomas.

Fordham suffered a torn medial collateral ligament on August 7 in a

scrimmage with the Atlanta Falcons at Furman University and has

been in rehabilitation. Last season he played in 11 games with one

start. Fordham is a three-year veteran who originally signed with the

team as an undrafted rookie out of Florida State.

Thomas spent all but one week of the 1998 season on the Jaguars'

practice squad after signing with the team as an undrafted rookie.

Battle, Mitchell and Southward were undrafted rookies this year.

The Jaguars still have five exemptions for NFL Europe League

players, which allows them to carry 70 players this week. The final

roster cutdown is Sunday, when clubs have to reduce their rosters

to 53 players. On Monday, the Jaguars will be allowed to sign five

players to their practice squad.

# # #