Santonio Holmes worked out on the field before the Jaguars game in preseason Week 2.
Credit: Getty Images
Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes practiced with the team for a second straight day, bolstering a stable of receivers lacking star power.
Holmes was removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Sunday, nearly 11 months after a Lisfranc injury in Week 4 of last season ended his year. Subsequent setbacks and a second surgery slowed his progress, but Holmes has been running and cutting the past two weeks, proof he is set to return to the field sooner rather than later.
But it may not be enough to be ready for Week 1 against the Buccaneers.
“I don’t know,” Holmes said. “Still looking forward to that day and when it comes, hopefully I’m ready.”
Holmes is receiving treatment for the injury three to four times a day and, “taking the right meds.”
Before his injury last year, Holmes was on pace for just the second 1,000-yard season of his career. On Tuesday, he did some work on the field, a welcome sight for a player who had been seen primarily on the exercise bicycle the past few weeks. But it is low key right now as he continues to work himself into football shape.
Head coach Rex Ryan said the Jets are “phasing him” into the flow of practice.
“I saw him out there but to say he ran a bunch of plays, we’re phasing him in,” Ryan said. “It’s not like he’s repping with the first team or anything. Right now, we’re working him in.”
Jets notes …
»Late on Monday night, the Jets cut tight end Hayden Smith, ending the one-year experiment with the converted rugby player. Smith played five games for the Jets last year and seemed poised to make more of an impact this season after a strong minicamp in June. He ended up being the victim of a numbers crunch when the Jets signed Kellen Winslow during minicamp to complement Jeff Cumberland and Konrad Reuland, the two tight ends on the roster.
»After kicking the game-winning field goal in the Jets’ 24-21 overtime win over the Giants on Saturday night, Billy Cundiff was cut by the Jets on Tuesday. In his stead, the team brought in former Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter to provide competition with Nick Folk.
»Quarterback Greg McElroy, currently wearing a brace on his left knee, has not played the last two preseason games with what he says is a lower leg injury. He tells Metro he’s uncertain if he will able to play this Thursday against the Eagles.
»Both cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie (hip) and Dee Milliner (calf) will not play in the final preseason game.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
