Updated: August 4, 2012, 9:04 PM ET
By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com
Jets Hold Scrimmage
Sal Paolantonio from Jets intrasquad scrimmage at training camp.
CORTLAND, N.Y. -- New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes, the team's top playmaker, suffered an apparent broken rib Saturday night in an intrasquad scrimmage.
The team didn't confirm the injury, but coach Rex Ryan said he was informed by the trainers that Holmes "might have a broken rib." If an X-ray confirms the fracture, he'd be lost indefinitely.
"He's a tough guy, but I don't think he's going to be running around tomorrow or the next day," Ryan said.
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It would be a huge blow for the Jets, who began training camp with serious questions at receiver and may have to sign a veteran. Without Holmes, their top receivers are rookie Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley (out with a hamstring), Chaz Schilens and Patrick Turner.
Holmes was injured in the second half of the scrimmage, when he made a seven-yard catch and was hit hard by cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Holmes went to the sideline, where his ribs were wrapped by the training staff. Minutes later, he walked to the locker room.
That Holmes played in the scrimmage came as a mild surprise, considering he missed a few days of practice with what he described as general soreness. Holmes wound up catching three passes for 22 yards, all from Mark Sanchez, who outplayed Tim Tebow.
The Jets are so thin at receiver that the coaches are planning to use Cromartie in a cameo role this season -- and that was before Holmes went down. Cromartie sparked a controversy when he told ESPN that he'd be the second-best receiver on the team, prompting Schilens to fire back. Ryan defused the war of words by addressing the matter in a team meeting.
An extended absence for Holmes would disrupt the Jets' offensive chemistry as they attempt to learn Tony Sparano's system.
"You'd love to have your No. 1 guy out there, your big gun out there," Ryan said. "(Holmes) looked good today. Obviously, you saw him and Sanchez connect several times."
After the season, the Jets decided not to re-sign Plaxico Burress, who started every game last season. He remains a free agent. They were mildly interested in former Jet Braylon Edwards, but he signed last week with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Holmes injury overshadowed Sanchez and Tebow, who received a loud ovation from the announced crowd of 9,200 when he stepped on the field for the first time.
Playing exclusively with the second team, Tebow struggled to generate any offense. He went 0 for 3 -- two long incompletions and a drop. He also rushed three times for 14 yards and completed a pass as the up-back on a fake punt.
Sanchez, the undisputed starter, was crisp after a slow start. Playing without three starting linemen, he completed 11 of 16 passes for 82 yards with one touchdown, an eight-yard scoring pass to Bilal Powell.
The best play came from fourth-string quarterback Matt Simms, who threw a 31-yard touchdown to Ramond Weber.
"Obviously, there's a quarterback controversy with Matt Simms," Ryan joked. "Was it Matt Simms or Phil Simms? He looked pretty darn impressive."
Rich Cimini
ESPNNewYork.comFollow Rich on Twitter
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