Veteran defensive tackle Antonio Garay, projected as a backup to nose tackle Kenrick Ellis, was released Friday as the New York Jets began to cut their roster, a source confirmed.

Garay started Thursday night and played 41 defensive snaps, third-most among the linemen. It's never a good sign when a veteran plays that much in the final preseason game. Evidently, the Jets deemed him expendable because of the emergence of second-year nose tackle Damon Harrison, who seized his opportunity with Ellis sidelined by a back injury.

Garay, 33, a New Jersey native who wanted to finish his career with the Jets, signed a one-year, $905,000 contract as a free agent. It included a $65,000 signing bonus.

The defensive-line depth chart looks like this:

Ends: Muhammad Wilkerson, Junior Aumavae.

Tackles: Ellis, Sheldon Richardson, Harrison, Leger Douzable, Tevita Finau, Lanier Coleman.

The Garay release was earlier reported by ProFootballTalk.com.