EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- This is what Rex Ryan meant by a youth movement.
To make room for tight end Chris Pantale, who was signed Monday from the practice squad, the New York Jets released 30-year-old linebacker Antwan Barnes.
This amounted to a lost season for Barnes, who recovered slowly from 2013 knee surgery and spent the first six games on the physically unable to perform list. He played the last five games, but he participated in only 55 defensive snaps, including one snap in last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Ryan wants to give more playing time to rookie linebackers Trevor Reilly and IK Enemkpali, so Barnes became expendable.
Barnes was a member of John Idzik's first free-agent class. He signed a two-year, $2.7 million contract. The remainder of his $1.2 million base salary this season is guaranteed. He finished the season with two tackles and two quarterback hits.
The Pantale move came as no surprise. With rookie Jace Amaro out this week with a concussion, the Jets needed an extra tight end.
