THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Veteran kicker Jay Feely signed with the New York Jets on Monday, according to his agent, and will replace the injured Mike Nugent.

"He is very excited to join the Jets and help them keep winning," agent Glenn Schwartzman said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

The Jets need to make a move to open up the roster spot for Feely, but hadn't yet officially announced the signing.

Feely, cut by Kansas City last month just a day after the Chiefs signed him to a one-year deal, is in his eighth NFL season. He was with Miami last season, going 21-for-23 on field-goal attempts and setting a franchise record with a 91.3 field-goal rate.

Despite his success, the Dolphins cut Feely in August. He had been sidelined with a groin strain that forced him to miss the pre-season opener, and his outspoken nature often clashed with the new Bill Parcells-led regime, which has overhauled the roster with younger players.

Feely, 32, will replace Nugent for at least Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. Nugent, the team's top draft pick in 2005, injured his right thigh on a kickoff -- resulting in a squibbed kick -- following the Jets' first touchdown in their 20-14 victory at Miami.

Nugent limped over to the sideline and was worked on by trainers, but came out to try a 32-yard field goal, which he missed. The Jets had no one else available to try field goals or PATs, so they were forced to go for it on a fourth-and-13 -- and Brett Favre connected with Chansi Stuckey on a desperation touchdown heave in the second quarter.

Nugent didn't return until late in the third quarter to kick an extra point, but was clearly ailing. Coach Eric Mangini had no update on the injury Monday afternoon, but said the team would bring in other kickers if it was determined Nugent couldn't go against New England.

Feely, who has an 80.8 career field-goal mark, reportedly beat out free agents Aaron Elling and Dave Rayner for the job. Feely played four seasons with Atlanta before kicking for the Giants in 2005 and 2006. His experience with the unpredictable wind conditions at Giants Stadium, where the Jets play their home games, likely was a deciding factor in New York signing him.