How to remove rubber plugs?

[cjoenny89]

I am installing new carpet and I pulled the heater box out because of muse issues so now I am trying to slide the carpet up into place and I want to slide it up under the cardboard center cover and it has rubber plugs holding it in place. Will I break the rubber plugs pulling them out or should I try and just shove the carpet up and under the cardboard center cover? With new carpet and no old carpet to go by I was thinking it might be easier to remove it any thoughts? The rubber plugs stick out into the fire wall in the engine compartment.