NFL

New Jets WR Holmes suspended for first 4 games of season

Santonio Holmes, who the Jets acquired last night in a trade with the Steelers, will have to sit out the season’s first four games.

The NFL suspended him for an unspecified violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy — either a failed test or failure to show for a required test. Holmes has been arrested twice and cited for marijuana possession from 2006-2008. He’s also under investigation for assault in Orlando, Fla. last month. The Jets, who sent a fifth-round pick to Pittsburgh, knew the decision was a possibility.

Holmes arrived in New York today and passed his physical. The Jets will officially announce the move at a 4 p.m. conference call today.

But owner Woody Johnson confirmed the acquisition of Holmes in Cortland, where the Jets will be holding their training camp for the next three years.

“He’s known by members of the team,” Johnson said.

“Everybody has a lot of respect for him. He’s tough. He’s a clutch receiver. I don’t think pressure gets to him in a game. We were happy to start this [relationship].”

Already beset by the ongoing Ben Roethlisberger circus, the Steelers decided Holmes and his healthy 16.3-yard per catch career average weren’t worth all the off-the-field headaches.

Pittsburgh’s shocking decision is as much of a gamble as the willingness of the Jets and coach Rex Ryan to acquire Holmes, considering the 5-foot-10, 185-pound pro is coming off his best NFL season with 79 catches for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns in 2009.

After the first four games, Holmes will give the Jets and quarterback Mark Sanchez a potent downfield force to pair with Braylon Edwards that they sorely lacked last season.

Holmes also gives the Jets bookend problem children at wide receiver, considering Edwards was acquired from the Browns last season after being charged with misdemeanor assault in Cleveland. Edwards could also face a one-game suspension for that altercation.