CORTLAND – Santonio Holmes was nowhere to be found at Jets practice here Wednesday morning.
Holmes, who hasn’t fully practiced since suffering a rib injury on a hit from cornerback Antonio Cromartie in the Green and White Scrimmage on Aug. 4, stayed inside for treatment instead of joining his teammates on the field, according to a team spokesman. Jets coach Rex Ryan said Holmes has a stiff back.
Ryan said he is not sure if he will miss the remainder of the preseason.
“Certainly it is possible, but I don’t think that will be the case,” Ryan said.
Later on ESPN Radio, Ryan said the Jets hope Holmes can return for their game with the Panthers on Aug. 26.
The veteran wideout has been present in previous days, when he’s spent some time working with the receivers in individual drills but has been mostly doing conditioning work on the side.
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The quarterbacks had a rough day Wednesday, throwing a combined five interceptions between them and 7-on-7 drills.
Mark Sanchez finished 9-for-13 in team drills, but was also sacked three times and threw a pair of interceptions. The first was when a high pass to tight end Jeff Cumberland tipped off his hands and landed right in the waiting arms of rookie safety Josh Bush, while the second was picked off by Cromartie.
Sanchez went 6-for-11 in 7-on-7 drills, including throwing an interception to Demario Davis on a pass that looked like the rookie linebacker was the intended target.
Tim Tebow didn’t fare any better. He went 4-for-9 in team drills, including throwing an interception to linebacker Garrett McIntyre, and was sacked once. In 7-on-7 drills, his first pass – intended for rookie Stephen Hill – was intercepted by cornerback Ellis Lankster. He finished the 7-on-7 section 3-for-5 with the pick.
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With his injured right ring finger still wrapped, rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill participated in practice Wednesday morning. Hill caught several passes, including a nice 35-yard completion from Tebow in team drills off a play-action fake.
In addition to Holmes, the Jets were also still without wideouts Jeremy Kerley (hamstring) and Chaz Schilens (ankle). Kerley again spent some time with receivers during individual work, and also fielded some punts, but didn’t participate in team drills.
Nose tackle Sione Po’uha (back) and safety Eric Smith (knee) continued to sit out of practice completely, while linebacker Ricky Sapp (hamstring) joined Schilens in doing conditioning work on the side.
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Cromartie got another rep at wide receiver Wednesday, coming onto the field during team drills with the second unit and with Tim Tebow under center. Tebow actually completed a pass on the play to Cromartie, who started on the right side and came across to make about a 10-yard catch. But the play was nullified by an illegal procedure penalty on the offense.