The Jets wide receiving corps is beginning to look whole again.
Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Kerley both participated in team drills Wednesday for the first time in weeks. Holmes, who has been out since Aug. 4 with rib and back injuries, wore a red no-contact jersey but ran a handful of plays during the 11-on-11 portion of practice. He was thrown to once, but it was incomplete.
Kerley, who has been out since the first day of training camp with a slight hamstring tear, seemed to practice with few restrictions. He caught two passes from Mark Sanchez.
Jets coach Rex Ryan said he’s hopeful both could play Sunday against the Panthers.
“It felt great to take reps and kind of get that timing back with Mark,” Kerley said. “I don’t want to push it too far. Certain routes I limited myself on, kind of baby-stepping back into it.”
Holmes did not speak to the media.
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RT Wayne Hunter was back after missing Tuesday’s practice for what the team called “personal reasons.”
Hunter did not speak to reporters after practice.
Hunter and Austin Howard rotated at right tackle with Howard taking 18 snaps and Hunter 12. They were on the field together for one of those snaps. It is not clear whether Howard’s increased reps are because of Hunter’s bad back or his ineffectiveness in Saturday’s 26-3 loss to the Giants.
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Ryan said the Jets will not use quarterback Tim Tebow with the first team on Sunday, meaning you will not see any Wildcat plays.
“I think what we’ll do is we’ll go with Mark [Sanchez], and then when it’s time, we’ll put in Tebow to close out the game,” Ryan said. “Do I see them out there together? No. I don’t see that happening.”
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The Jets have no interest in Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who may hit the trade market. … Ryan said he is open to having joint practices with another team next year like the Patriots and Buccaneers are currently doing.
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RB Joe McKnight left practice because his shins were bothering him. He planned to have X-rays last night. … TE Jeff Cumberland missed practice with a concussion. … Former Giants RB Tiki Barber attended practice as a guest. … Safety Eric Smith (knee), NT Sione Po’uha (back) and WR Chaz Schilens (high ankle sprain) have been ruled out of Sunday’s game.