BY NICK ST. DENIS
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters Friday that he's "hopeful" receiver Santonio Holmes will play in Gang Green's season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But right now, it's 50-50.
Holmes is reportedly expected to make some kind of appearance Sunday barring any pre-game complications with his foot and is listed as questionable per Friday's official injury report.
The Jets have a pretty big list of probable players -- 15, to be exact -- including quarterback Geno Smith (ankle), cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie (hip) and Dee Milliner (Achilles), as well as receivers Stephen Hill (knee) and Jeremy Kerley (finger).
The rookie second-rounder Smith will get the nod calling signals, and the first-year first-rounder Milliner is also slated for his starting debut. Milliner will draw the inevitable comparisons to now-Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis, who is expected to be a go for the Bucs.
Notable "outs" are quarterback Mark Sanchez and outside linebacker Quinton Coples.
Defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (back) is questionable, and offensive linemen Willie Colon (knee/shoulder), Vladimir Ducasse and Ben Ijalana (knee), linebackers David Harris (hip) and Nick Bellore (oblique), receiver Clyde Gates (shoulder), defensive tackle Damon Harrison (knee), cornerback Ellis Lankster (foot/hamstring) and quarterback Matt Simms (calf/oblique) round out the list of probables.
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
