FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Things just got a lot tougher for the struggling New York Jets.
Wide receiver Santonio Holmes will miss the rest of this season with an injured left foot, leaving the Jets without their top offensive playmaker. The team announced Wednesday that Holmes will require surgery, and the Jets placed him on season-ending injured reserve.
“Obviously, that’s a big loss for us,” coach Rex Ryan said. “Santonio’s one of the top receivers in the game, and it is a big loss.”
That’s quite the understatement.
The news came just over a week after the Jets learned they’ll likely lose star cornerback Darrelle Revis for the season with a torn ligament in his left knee — although the Jets haven’t placed him on IR yet, in case, Ryan said, he recovers in time to play in the Super Bowl.
But that leaves the Jets (2-2) now without their best players on defense and offense as they try to return to the playoffs this year after missing out last season. Ryan insisted, however, that the team’s expectations have not changed.
“We have to rally around each other, for sure,” Ryan said, comparing the situation in 2009 when the Jets lost nose tackle Kris Jenkins and running back Leon Washington in consecutive weeks — and still made it to the AFC championship game.
“It does test the resolve of your team, but that’s one of our strengths,” Ryan added. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s what happens.”
Ryan also pointed out that, despite their struggles, the Jets still lead the AFC East with a 2-0 record in the division.
“Woe is me?” Ryan said defiantly. “How many people are going to feel sorry for the New York Jets? Myself, I know the answer to that: Nobody.”
Holmes went down on the first play of the fourth quarter of the Jets’ 34-0 loss to San Francisco on Sunday after catching a short pass that he tossed away for a fumble returned 51 yards for a touchdown by Carlos Rogers. X-rays on the foot were negative, meaning there were no broken bones, but the MRI exam results were sent to a foot specialist in North Carolina, and the Jets’ worst fears were confirmed.
“Thanks for the love, prayers, and support from friends and fans,” Holmes wrote on his Twitter page. “Time heals all wounds.”
Ryan confirmed that it is a Lisfranc injury, which usually involves a sprain or tear of the ligament in the middle of the foot that holds the first two toes together. Recovery time depends on whether there is a dislocation or fracture, and whether surgery — including screws inserted — is needed.
“My understanding is that he’s going to be back and make a full recovery,” Ryan said. “We have confidence he’ll make a full recovery and be ready to roll next year.”
New York signed free agent wide receiver Jason Hill to help make up for the loss of Holmes. The Jets are alarmingly thin at the position with rookie Stephen Hill still recovering from a hamstring injury, leaving Chaz Schilens, Jeremy Kerley and Clyde Gates as the only healthy receivers on the roster before the move to sign Jason Hill.
Holmes leads the Jets with 20 catches for 272 yards and a touchdown this season. He and Sanchez had their best game together since 2010 two weeks ago at Miami, when Holmes caught nine passes for 147 yards.
Jason Hill was a third-round draft pick of San Francisco in 2007 but was waived by the 49ers in 2010 and claimed off waivers by Jacksonville, where he played the last two seasons. The speedy receiver spent the preseason with Denver before being released in August.
He has 76 receptions for 1,028 yards and eight TDs in parts of five NFL seasons.
Titans QB Hasselbeck to start vs Vikings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jake Locker’s left shoulder is sore enough that the Tennessee Titans don’t even want him dressing Sunday when they visit Minnesota, so veteran Matt Hasselbeck will start at quarterback.
Whether Locker misses more than one game depends on how quickly his nonthrowing shoulder heals.
“We’ll take it day by day and see how he responds with soreness, getting the strength back and, like I said the last time, when he’s ready to play, he’ll be playing,” coach Mike Munchak said Wednesday after announcing the change at starter.
Locker dislocated his non-throwing shoulder for the second time in four games when sacked in last week’s 38-14 loss at Houston.
Arizona’s Skelton, Dockett questionable
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton is listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game at St. Louis even though he fully participated in the team’s last two practices.
Skelton sprained his right ankle in the team’s season opener against Seattle. Kevin Kolb relieved him and has led the Cardinals to their first 4-0 start in 38 years.
In all, nine Arizona players were listed as questionable, including defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (hamstring), running back LaRod Stephens-Howling and tight end Todd Heap (knee). All three missed Sunday’s 24-21 overtime victory over Miami.
Also questionable for Thursday are two other starters — inside linebacker Paris Lenon (knee) and defensive tackle Dan Williams (foot).
All of those listed as questionable, except Skelton, were limited in Wednesday’s practice.
Chiefs put tight end Boss on injured reserve
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs put tight end Kevin Boss on injured reserve with a head injury Wednesday after doctors determined they would not clear him to play the rest of the year.
Boss signed a $9 million, three-year deal in the offseason to provide a versatile tight end for quarterback Matt Cassel and insurance with Tony Moeaki coming off a torn left ACL.
He caught three passes for 65 yards and a touchdown before getting hurt in Week 2 at Buffalo, when Bills safety D’Norris Searcy’s elbow slammed into his helmet.
Bills’ Williams fined by NFL for roughing Brady
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams is questioning why he’s been fined $15,000 by the NFL for a roughing-the-passer penalty against New England’s Tom Brady.
Williams revealed on Wednesday that he had been fined for a play that happened in the third quarter of a 52-28 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. Williams was flagged after he was knocked to the turf and his arm caught the back of Brady’s leg.
Brady still completed a 19-yard pass to Wes Welker.
Williams intends to appeal the fine, questioning what he did wrong when attempting to make a tackle while Brady still had the ball.
