NFL

Holmes should be ready for Jets opener

The Jets should have one of their best offensive weapons on the field Sunday with the return of wide receiver Santonio Holmes appearing to be a near certainty.

Holmes practiced yesterday and appeared to be moving well during the 30-minute window the media was permitted to watch.

A source indicated the Jets believe the receiver would definitely play.

Holmes missed training camp and the entire preseason while recovering from a Lisfranc injury in his left foot suffered during Week 4 of last season. Holmes had two surgeries on the foot, and his status has remained a mystery. He was removed from the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 23.

Teammates have been impressed with what they’ve seen from Holmes.

“’[He’s making] great cuts,” wide receiver Stephen Hill said. “The speed is going to always be there. But just breaking and cutting, he looks the same as last year.”

It could lead to a Holmes vs. Darrelle Revis match-up Sunday when the Buccaneers come to MetLife Stadium.

* Jets coach Rex Ryan spent Saturday attending the Clemson-Georgia game in South Carolina. Ryan’s son, Seth, is a freshman walk-on for the Tigers. Ryan has taken some fire for going to the game on the day the Jets were making their roster cuts to get to 53. Ryan defended the move.

“Almost all of our moves were made Friday evening when I was here,” Ryan said. “I talked to several of the players we were going to release. I don’t think it was official until [Saturday] evening. But certainly I spoke with most of our guys that were released just like I did every year, and I was very aware of our situation. This is an opportunity to go see my son play his first college game. Play is probably not very accurate. I saw him stand there.”

Ryan said this is probably the only chance he’d get to go to one of his son’s games.

“It was a great deal,” Ryan said. “It’s not like I’m going to be able to go to another game. … I played Dad there for a day and that was a lot of fun.”

* Rookie CB Dee Milliner (calf) said he practiced fully and expects to play Sunday. … CB Antonio Cromartie (hip) said, “You know I’ll be ready to go,” when asked if he would be healthy enough to play Sunday. … Ryan, who is reluctant to give out any injury information these days, conceded OLB Quinton Coples (ankle fracture) is likely out for the game. … The Jets waived QB Greg McElroy with an injury settlement. … LB Danny Lansanah cleared waivers and could be added to the Jets practice squad.