Hempstead, N.Y. ? The New York Jets bolstered their defensive line Monday by signing defensive end Eric Hicks, a free agent who spent his first nine seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Keyonta Marshall, a defensive tackle on the practice squad, was released.

Hicks, who turns 31 next month, ranks fifth on the Chiefs’ career sacks list with 401â2, including a career-high 14 in 2000.

The Jets have been busy renovating their defensive line this offseason, signing defensive ends David Bowens, Kenyon Coleman, Andre Wadsworth and Michael Haynes.

Kansas City released Hicks on May 1, three days after taking defensive lineman Claude “Turk” McBride in the second round of the NFL Draft.