NT Kris Jenkins, who played 10 seasons in the league for the Panthers and Jets, announced his retirement on Wednesday.

"Wanted to let you all know that I have loved the support and respect that you all have given me throughout my career," Jenkins wrote on his Facebook account. "But it is time for the torch to be passed to the younger players. I am going to hang up the cleats! The mind is always willing to play but my body deserves the rest. Thank you for the opportunities to play Carolina and New York."

Jenkins struggled with knee injuries the past two years, playing in only seven total games in 2009 and '10. He finished his career with 24 career sacks and made four Pro Bowls. He also was a key anchor on the Panthers defensive line in 2003 to help the team reach Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The way we see it

The Jets cut Jenkins after the season ended, but he could have been a candidate to return. The team has played without him for most of the last two seasons and drafted Kenrick Ellis as a future replacement at the nose. Their D-line is young and could use Jenkins' leadership, but clearly the knee injuries were too much.