X-rays negative for Santonio Holmes

Updated: October 2, 2012, 3:12 AM ET
By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets still don't have a diagnosis of Santonio Holmes' foot injury, but they expect their top wide receiver to miss multiple games.

Coach Rex Ryan confirmed Monday that X-rays of Holmes' left foot, taken Sunday at MetLife Stadium, were negative. Holmes underwent an MRI on Monday morning, but Ryan said the Jets didn't have the results, saying they were "shipped to different places."

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Ryan said doctors haven't determined whether Holmes suffered muscle or ligament damage. Doctors ruled out an Achilles tendon injury.

According to a source, the Jets sent Holmes' MRI results to Charlotte-based foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed the surgery on linebacker Calvin Pace's broken foot in August 2010.

Regardless of the diagnosis, Ryan expects Holmes to be sidelined indefinitely.

"I'm not sure how many weeks he'll be out, the real extent of the injury," Ryan said. "We just know the X-rays were negative. That's good news. Obviously, it looks doubtful for this week."

The Jets (2-2) play the Houston Texans (4-0) next Monday night at home. Ryan's team is reeling after an embarrassing 34-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, a game in which the offense produced only 145 total yards.

The Jets have managed only two offensive touchdowns in the past 12-plus quarters. Holmes was hurt on the first play of the fourth quarter, a noncontact injury in which his left foot got caught in the turf as he attempted to turn upfield after a 4-yard reception. Holmes went down quickly, in obvious pain. He fumbled the ball, and it was returned 51 yards for a touchdown by cornerback Carlos Rogers, the final indignity in one of the worst losses of the Ryan era.

Jets' Offense Has Been Offensive

Whether it's passing, rushing or scoring, the Jets' offense has failed to take off in 2012, ranking outside the top 20 in all three categories.

Jets' offense this season

Category Avg. NFL Rank
PPG 20.3 T-23rd
Rush YPG 86.5 24th
Pass YPG 197.5 26th
Turnovers 8 T-25th
20-yard plays 10 T-29th
-- ESPN Stats & Information

The Jets' passing game, already struggling with Holmes, would be in a shambles without their top playmaker.

Tight end Dustin Keller and starting receiver Stephen Hill, both of whom sat out Sunday's game with hamstring injuries, are question marks this week. That would leave Chaz Schilens and Jeremy Kerley as the starting receivers, with Clyde Gates and Patrick Turner in reserve.

"If we're healthy, I feel good about that group," Ryan said. He downplayed the possibility of adding another veteran, but that could change once the Jets get a definitive word on Holmes.

Holmes leads the team with 20 receptions and 272 yards. The rest of the Jets' wide receivers have combined for only 22 catches.

Rich Cimini

ESPNNewYork.com
Rich Cimini, longtime Jets beat writer for the New York Daily News and a Syracuse graduate, covers Gang Green for ESPNNewYork.com.
Follow Rich on Twitter

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