Santonio Holmes Expected To Start For Jets Sunday, Only He’s Not So Sure
The Jets finally got some good news. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes is expected to start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The only problem is Holmes doesn’t quite believe the news.
To be fair, no official word has been made on whether Holmes will start the season opener. Sources close to the Jets claim the expectation internally is that Holmes will start. Holmes has been out since last season after suffering a severe lisfranc injury.
The left foot injury required two offseason surgeries. Holmes absence from the Jets roster has only highlighted the teams lack of starting depth the last two years.
Santonio Holmes was traded to Jets in 2010 from the Stealers. He was expected to be a major part of the offense after earning Super Bowl MVP honors in 2009. The Jets made it to the AFC Championship game his first year and he signed five year, $45 million contract extension. The next season he was named team captain.
He did’t live up to the contract in 2011 though and finished the season with 654 receiving yards.
Holmes suffered his lisfranc injury against the 49ers in week four of the 2012 season. He hasn’t played a snap since. When asked whether reports about him starting were true, Holmes responded:
“Still haven’t gotten any word from the doctors yet on whether I should be playing or not, so I’m just going to keep playing it by ear.”
Holmes also said he still can’t cut and run routes like he could before the injury.
Despite his hesitance, all signs point to him playing on sunday. At the very least it would be in a very limited role. Holmes has been practicing all week and had a scheduled day off thursday.
If Santonio Holmes can suit up for the Jets on Sunday it would be good news in an otherwise ugly offseason. Rookie QB Geno Smith could use all the help he can get. In extended action in the Jets third preseason game he threw three picks and looked pretty lost.
Do you think the return of Santonio Holmes would benefit the Jets?
[image via Wikimedia Commons]
