Santonio Holmes sat out New York Jets practice again Wednesday and already has been declared out for Saturday's preseason matchup against the New York Giants.
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It's possible Holmes won't play a snap in the preseason.
Rex Ryan said Wednesday that the Jets' top receiver could be held out until the team kicks off its regular-season schedule against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 9.
"Certainly it's possible," Ryan said, via the New York Daily News. "But don't think that will be the case."
Holmes was injured during a scrimmage on Aug. 4. There was initial concern he'd broken a rib, but it later was determined to be a rib cartilage injury. It was a better prognosis, but it now appears Holmes will miss considerable time regardless.
"Obviously, you'd like to have your guys out there on the field," Ryan said. "But you got make sure you're not putting them out there when they could be at further risk or they're not ready to come back."
Usually a pillar of positivity, Ryan acknowledged "it's certainly not ideal" that his wide receiver unit has been ravaged by injuries during training camp. This was already the Jets' weakest area on paper. Not having Ryan's guys on the field makes matters worse.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.