The Jets lost their best defensive player for the season last week, and now they are going to be without their top playmaker on offense.
Wide receiver Santonio Holmes suffered a Lisfranc injury in his left foot and is most likely out for the remainder of the season, according to a source.
The Jets did not make an official announcement last night as they awaited word from foot specialists, holding out hope they would get good news. Instead, they found out he suffered the dreaded Lisfranc, which involves torn ligaments in the midfoot area. It usually requires surgery. If Holmes does not need surgery, there is a slim chance he could return this year.
X-rays showed no broken bones in the foot, but the Jets feared immediately he had ligament damage. Holmes had an MRI exam on the foot on Monday that the Jets sent to foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina to be evaluated.
The already sputtering Jets offense will suffer without Holmes, who was the team’s top weapon. Holmes injured the foot on the first play of the fourth quarter in Sunday’s 34-0 loss to the 49ers. Holmes fell to the ground untouched after catching a Mark Sanchez pass. He then fumbled the ball, which was returned for a touchdown.
The Jets have did not sign any wide receivers yesterday. Jets coach Rex Ryan said Monday the team would not rule out signing a free agent but they hoped they could find the answer on the current roster. The Jets have four wide receivers on the team other than Holmes — rookie Stephen Hill, Chaz Schilens, Jeremy Kerley and Clyde Gates.
Holmes is in the second year of a five-year, $45 million contract. He had his best game in nearly two years two weeks ago in Miami, catching nine passes for 147 yards and setting up the game-winning field goal.
The Jets managed just 145 yards on Sunday — a new low under Ryan. They struggled in all areas. Dealing with the loss of Holmes is another killer blow for a team that lost star cornerback Darrelle Revis to a season-ending ACL tear last week.
The team also signed WR Jordan White to the practice squad, releasing DB Donnie Fletcher from that unit.