The moves came a day after New York lost to Jacksonville 24-22 on Josh Scobee's 21-yard field goal as time expired. Coach Rex Ryan said Carroll became expendable because undrafted free agent Marquice Cole had earned the spot on special teams.

Carroll, nicknamed "Batman," was inactive for New York's last two games. He tied for the team lead last year with 26 special teams tackles. Carroll has had trouble off the field in the past, but this move had nothing to do with any legal matters.

"I think Cole has really taken his role," Ryan said. "I think he's done an outstanding job. That's not a slight to Batman. It's just that I think this guy won the job and it's a chance for us to get Kenwin Cummings up."

Carroll was drafted in the first round by Green Bay in 2004. He signed with the Jets in July 2008 and had 30 special teams tackles in 22 games. Carroll also played for Jacksonville.

Cummings, an undrafted free agent out of Wingate, has spent most of the last two seasons on the Jets' practice squad. He was inactive for the season opener at Miami last year.