Why Jets stunningly released Michael Carter

It wasn’t an easy decision for Robert Saleh.

It wasn’t easy for Jets players to accept, either.

The ugly side of football — the cuts, the goodbyes, the sudden changes needed to spark a stagnant offense — materialized Tuesday when the Jets released running back Michael Carter to open snaps for rookie Israel Abanikanda.

“Emotions were very low,” offensive lineman Mekhi Becton said. “Situations like that happen, I’m always down in the dumps.”

Saleh said one layer of their decision included Gang Green’s desire to get Carter, 24, a fresh start, and the Cardinals claimed him Wednesday, according to ESPN.

Carter’s Jets tenure ended after 39 games (21 starts), 1,079 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, but this year, behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook, Carter compiled just eight rushes for 38 yards and 15 receptions for 68 yards — as well as a costly chop-block penalty against the Raiders on Sunday that caused him to get benched.

“We felt like it wouldn’t be fair for [Carter] to just sit there and rot on the bench,” Saleh said Wednesday.

While Saleh addressed Jets players about the release “a little bit,” he sensed that they, of course, were disappointed to lose a respected player in the locker room.

Quarterback Zach Wilson didn’t think it was a wake-up call, but it’s something that no one — players or coaches — wanted to witness, especially when it involved a key piece of the running back puzzle before Hall’s arrival and after his season-ending injury in 2022.

Abanikanda described Carter as influential to him and texted him after hearing the news.

Abanikanda, a Brooklyn native and fifth-round pick in April, hasn’t appeared in a game but flashed potential — specifically with his speed — in the preseason, rushing 12 times for 57 yards against the Panthers.

Saleh added that Abanikanda will add to their special teams unit, too.

“We’ll see what he is,” Saleh said. “We’re about to find out for sure.”

When asked about facing Bills outside linebacker Von Miller on Sunday, and why he seems to perform better against elite defenders, Becton didn’t hesitate to pinpoint a reason.

“I’m elite as well,” he said.

Saleh said he’s “not sure” if left tackle Duane Brown (hip) will be activated this week. Brown hasn’t played since Week 2, and his 21-day practice window began earlier this month.

The Jets signed DL Tanzel Smart back to their practice squad after he was released Tuesday. They also released CB Craig James from the practice squad.

OL Billy Turner (finger), LB Chazz Surratt (TK) and LB Sam Eguavoen (hip) didn’t participate in the Jets’ walk-through Wednesday. Becton (knee), WR Garrett Wilson (elbow), DL Will McDonald IV (ankle) were estimated to have been limited. Brown, DL John Franklin-Myers (knee), LB Quincy Williams (knee) and TE Kenny Yeboah (hamstring) were estimated as full participants.

Yeboah, on injured reserve, returned to practice Wednesday to start his 21-day window.