Santonio Holmes unsure if he'll play this season

CORTLAND -- Santonio Holmes repeated the phrase “one day at a time” several times, refusing to commit to any sort of timetable.

Understandably, the Jets' top receiver is uncertain when he’ll return from foot surgery. But, surprisingly, Holmes isn’t sure whether he’ll see the field at all this season.

“I can't answer that right now,” he said, adding that the Jets' doctors aren't even sure if it’s possible. "It's the first day of training camp. How are you going to answer that question? I had two surgeries. All I can do is rehab right now."

Holmes, who suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 4 last season, added: “I have to do what the foot says to do. If it's not ready to roll, it's not ready to roll.”

Since his offseason foot surgery, Holmes has been focusing on the basics – like learning to walk again, he said. And while he’s rehabbing in Cortland, he’ll have access to the Jets’ state-of-the-art equipment, the veteran receiver added.

Holmes, who currently is on the PUP list, insisted this setback isn’t frustrating and instead is content with taking things one day at a time.

"I have to deal with what I have to deal with," said the wideout, who agreed to reduce his salary to $7.5 million this offseason. "....That's all I can do."

His head coach, meanwhile, admitted there “obviously” is some concern that Holmes won’t play this season. But Rex Ryan said he’s also “confident” his best receiver -- who has lost seven or eight pounds due to his conditioning -- will be on the field at some point this season.

"Now, when is that? I'm not sure," the coach said. "But I feel condident that he'll be out there."

Holmes spent the bulk of practice on the stationary bike. When he wasnt pedaling, he was on the field offering advice and encouragement to members of the Jets receiving corps. Until he's able to get back on the field, Holmes said he’s focused “on the things I can control” – like coaching up the younger kids. That way, he said, no one can blame any game-day missteps on his absence. 

Getting up to Cortland wasn't an easy feat for Holmes, either.

"It was a three-hour drive that didn’t go so well for me," he said of his Friday-morning commute from New Jersey. "My Cadillac truck broke down on the way, so I was kind of late for meetings, but it was excusable for the ride and for the time being. But it’s a great day to be here and I’m excited to have everyone here showing up. Hopefully, these guys can get through training camp very healthy and we can look forward to a great season."