The Jacksonville Jaguars released guard Shawn Bouwens today. A six-year veteran, Bouwens was signed by the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent on February 28, 1995. He played in 10 games last season, starting nine and missing six with a sprained right knee. The release of Bouwens leaves the Jaguars' roster at 81. All NFL teams must reduce their roster to 60 next Tuesday, August 20.
Bouwens spent his first four seasons with the Detroit Lions and has played in 74 NFL games with 42 starts. Originally a ninth-round draft choice of New England in 1990, he spent one year on Cleveland1s developmental squad before catching on with Detroit. He started all 16 games in 1992 and '94 while blocking for Barry Sanders.
"That was a very difficult decision," said head coach Tom Coughlin. "He is a young man we have great respect for and he has been a great guy in the community. We just have to be better at that position.
"We need better consistency and production because we're not scoring enough," Coughlin said in addressing the Jaguars' preseason. "Those who are being looked at and analyzed for positions, this is the time."
Rookie cornerback Aaron Beasley, who suffered a fractured shoulder blade in last Friday's preseason game at St. Louis, will miss at least 10 days because of the injury. Beasley, who had seen action in both of the team's preseason contests, was a third-round draft choice this season out of West Virginia.
Linebacker Brant Boyer (hip strain) and safety Monty Grow (shin contusion) returned to practice today after missing time because of injuries. Offensive tackle Jason Dukes (ankle) and linebacker Santo Stephens (knee) worked on a limited basis today. Beasley and tight end Rich Griffith did not practice.
Tuesday is the last day of two-a-day practices and the final day of practice that will be open to the public. Training camp ends after the Tuesday afternoon practice.
