The New York Jets are strongly considering releasing nose tackle Kris Jenkins, linebacker Vernon Gholston, offensive lineman Damien Woody, and linebacker Jason Taylor, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported on Monday, citing league sources.
None of those moves have been executed yet, but all are likely to occur within a day or two.
The Daily Newsreported on Monday that there remains a possibility the team will re-sign Jenkins, Gholston, Woody and/or Taylor to reduced salaries after they are cut.
Jenkins tore his anterior cruciate ligament in back-to-back seasons, missing a total 25 regular-season and six playoff games since 2009. A second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2001, Jenkins has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times, most recently in 2008, his first season in New York.
Woody confirmed the Jets' intentions on his Twitter page Monday.
"Just informed about my release....I want to thank the Jets and all the fans out there...it was a great ride!" Woody said.
Gholston, the Jets' sixth-overall pick in 2008, has played three years without recording a sack and is widely viewed as one of the biggest draft blunders in the team's history. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract.
Taylor, 36, signed a two-year deal with the Jets last year, finishing the season with five sacks, 25 tackles and three fumble recoveries. It has been speculated that Taylor will retire, ending a 14-year career in which he registered 132.5 sacks.
Woody, 33, had been a rock on the Jets' productive offensive line, but was slowed by injuries last season and recently underwent surgery on a partially torn Achilles' tendon. Second-year lineman Vladimir Ducasse will likely assume Woody's role if they don't bring the veteran back.
