Santonio Holmes has gone through a long rehabilitation process since his injury last season.
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The Jets might be getting their one true playmaker on the field in time for this Sunday’s season opener against the Buccaneers.
Santonio Holmes has gone through a torturously long rehabilitation process with Tuesday being 11 months to the day since he suffered his Lisfranc injury at the start of the fourth quarter of a Week 4 blowout loss at home to the 49ers. It was only three weeks ago he returned to the field and was running after he spent the entirety of training camp on the exercise bicycle and rehabbing the injury.
He had been accused of “milking” the injury as the rehab process appeared protracted.
On Monday, Holmes was on the field and engaged in some light drills at the start of practice, showing he can run and cut. Head coach Rex Ryan confirmed that Holmes was on the field and “did get some work in” but he wouldn’t say if his star wide receiver will be ready for the start of the regular season.
“I’ve said from Day 1 that I hope he plays because I think Holmes is a difference maker as a player,” Ryan said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt he is. I’ve said all along that I hope he plays. My opinion really doesn’t matter until the doctors and trainers give a thumbs up that he’s ready to go or he’s not. I can tell you that he hopes to play. I guarantee you that he hopes he plays.”
Holmes was the Jets’ lone shining point and biggest playmaker last season before the injury derailed his bright albeit fledgling season. He was on pace for 1,000 receiving yards for just the second time in his career and the temperamental Holmes had seemingly bought into the offense as he came to terms with quarterback Mark Sanchez.
He did not speak to the media on Monday.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
