Santonio Holmes could be back sooner than you think.
The New York Jets wide receiver said the back, rib, and hamstring issues on his left side are "clearing up." Don't expect him to play on Sunday night against the Carolina Panthers, but it sounds like he'd like to.
"I feel pretty confident that I can come back and play this week," Holmes said after practice Thursday, via The Associated Press. "I've been working a lot extra, overtime with these guys treatment-wise and they are doing a really good job trying to get me back on the field."
Holmes has practiced with the Jets for the past three days, in a red no-contact jersey.
"We got a mix of a little Santonio again out there today," quarterback Mark Sanchez said. "It just felt like things started to click again."
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.