Wide receiver Santonio Holmes and defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis are listed as questionable for the Jets’ season opener on Sunday against the Bucs, and of the two, Holmes appears more likely to play.
The Post’s Brian Costello has reported Holmes, who is recovering from foot surgery, will play a limited number of snaps against Tampa Bay. Holmes returned to the practice field Friday (albeit in a limited capacity) after a scheduled day off on Thursday.
“Like I said the whole time, I’m hopeful he plays, let’s just put it that way,” coach Rex Ryan said. “We’ll see. But we’ll let the doctors and trainers give the final word on it. But as I’ve said the whole time, I’m hopeful he plays because he is a difference-maker.”
Ellis, who is dealing with a back injury, also practiced in limited fashion. He said he’s hoping to play.
“I feel better every day,” he said.
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With Mark Sanchez out for Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium, Ryan said Matt Simms will be the No. 2 quarterback behind Geno Smith, but the coach would not commit to dressing Brady Quinn as a third QB, saying he is not a fan of that arrangement in general.
“Normally I don’t like doing that, because what happens, that third quarterback very seldom is used in a game,” Ryan said. “File that in the no-kidding column. But yeah, if you’re majoring on playing your third quarterback, you’re probably not gonna win. That’s generally the reason.
“There’s guys that can help on special teams. There’s guys that can help in different roles and things like that. That’s why unless you have an injury going in, normally you don’t dress three.”
The Jets may cut Quinn before Sunday’s game, then re-sign him on Monday. That would save them money because Quinn’s contract would become non-guaranteed. If he is on the roster at 4 p.m. Saturday, his contract becomes guaranteed for the season because he is a vested veteran.
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Multiple players said Ryan did not deliver any particular season-starting message at the end of practice.
“Just have fun and do your job,” tight end Kellen Winslow said when asked about Ryan’s message, “and just win.”
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The Jets will wear white uniforms on Sunday.