Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets
When: 8:25 PM ET, Saturday, December 17, 2016
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

TV: 8:25 p.m. ET, NFL Network.
LINE: Dolphins -3.
O/U: 38
PREDICTION: Jets 20, Dolphins 17

Oddsmakers currently have the Dolphins listed as 3-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game’s total is sitting at 37½.

For a guy who has spent most of the last decade as a backup quarterback, Matt Moore has an uncanny knack for intersecting with the New York Jets at pivotal moments of his career.

Moore will make his first start in almost five years on Saturday night, when he replaces an injured Ryan Tannehill for the Miami Dolphins as they visit the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

The opponent for Moore’s previous start on Jan. 1, 2012? The Jets, against whom Moore went 22-of-32 for 135 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the Dolphins’ 19-17 win.

“It’s rare to see, really, to have that much time in between starts, because something usually happens,” Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said Wednesday. “This organization has been fortunate as far as having the same guy behind center game after game.”

Tannehill, whom the Dolphins selected in the first round of the 2012 draft, started the first 77 games of his career before suffering a left knee injury in Sunday’s 26-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Moore, who went 3-of-5 for 47 yards and directed the game-winning drive last week, has attempted just 35 passes since the start of the 2012 season. The bulk of those came against the Jets on Oct. 28, 2012, when Tannehill suffered knee and quad injuries and Moore went 11-of-19 for 131 yards and one touchdown in the Dolphins’ 30-9 win.

“I think I’ve filled my role the best I could and I’ve had opportunities to play and it’s gone well,” Moore said. “I’m lucky I’m surrounded with a great team. I’ve got great guys on offense to work with.”

In another interesting wrinkle, Jets head coach Todd Bowles knows what it’s like to work with Moore: He concluded his three-game stint as the Dolphins’ interim head coach in the 2011 season finale.

“I have a lot of respect for Matt,” Bowles said Tuesday. “He hasn’t played in a while — obviously, Tannehill’s been playing good for them. Matt’s a competitor. I know he can throw the football and he’ll be ready to play.”

With Tannehill expected to avoid surgery but miss the rest of the season, Moore’s task is as easy as it is imposing: Keep the resurgent Dolphins (8-5) in the playoff race against the Jets (4-9), who are one of only three AFC teams eliminated from playoff contention.

The Dolphins, who haven’t reached the playoffs since winning the AFC East in 2008, enter this week tied with the Denver Broncos for the final wild-card spot, though the Broncos enjoy the tiebreaker via a better strength of victory. However, Miami has gone 7-1 in its last eight games while Denver is just 2-4 in its last six games.

Moore said he is trying to keep the same approach even as his job has changed.

“I’ve talked to coach Gase more, I’ve probably talked to (quarterbacks coach) Bo (Hardegree) a little more,” Moore said. “But nothing crazy has changed. I’m obviously excited. It’s an opportunity to win another game and keep us going in the direction we’re going.”

The Jets’ direction has long been established, but Saturday night represents a chance to get a little revenge on the Dolphins while finding out what they have in new starting quarterback Bryce Petty. Miami beat New York 27-23 on Nov. 6, when Kenyan Drake returned a kickoff 96 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 5:15 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“Anybody in our room that doesn’t think these guys kicked our butts — and that’s saying it nicely — then something’s wrong with that,” Jets special teams coach Brant Boyer told reporters this week. “Hopefully we play a hell of a lot better than we did when we were down there.”

Petty made his regular season debut Nov. 6, when he played a series in place of injured quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. This will be the third career start for Petty, who was named the permanent starter immediately after a 41-10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 5. He earned his first NFL win on Sunday, when he led the Jets to 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and overtime of a 23-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

While the Dolphins will be without Tannehill, they enter Saturday in a healthier overall state than the Jets. Tannehill the only Miami player to miss practice Wednesday while linebacker Kiko Alonso (hand, hamstring), linebacker Jelani Jenkins (hand, knee) and defensive end Mario Williams (ankle) were the only ones listed as limited participants.

The Jets, meanwhile, had 12 players listed as did not practice or as a limited participant. Five starters did not participate — running back Matt Forte (knee), right tackle Brent Qvale (hamstring), linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle), nose tackle Steve McLendon (hamstring) and cornerback Buster Skrine (concussion).

In addition, the Jets’ top two wide receivers — Brandon Marshall (knee, foot, back) and Quincy Enunwa (ribs) — were limited participants, as was defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle).

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New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, December 11, 2016
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: 49ers -2.5. O/U: 43.5
PREDICTION: 49ers 20, Jets 17

Oddsmakers currently have the 49ers listed as 3-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.

ABOUT THE JETS (3-9): Following his benching after completing 5-of-12 passes for 81 yards, an interception and a 30.2 rating, it seems like Fitzpatrick has played his last game for the Jets. Now, Bowles looks to save his job as New York, which still ranks fourth in the NFL defending the rush (90.3 yards a game), appeared to have quit defensively in last week’s nationally televised game. Andrew Luck threw four touchdown passes and the Colts ran up 421 yards before taking their foot off the gas early in the second half. New York is also battling a slew of injuries as center Nick Mangold is gone for the season, tackle Breno Giacomini and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson missed practice time during the week and safety Calvin Pryor remains questionable with a concussion.

New York was a 41-10 loser in its last match at home against the Colts. They failed to cover the -1.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 51 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

New York Stats:
Team record: 3-9 SU,4-7-1 ATS
Current Streak: lost 4 straight games.
NY Jets is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
NY Jets is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
NY Jets is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road

ABOUT THE 49ERS (1-11): Kaepernick, who began the season on the bench, is 0-8 since replacing Blaine Gabbert and didn’t complete a pass until midway through the second quarter of last week’s disaster. But, coach Chip Kelly, whose father died earlier in the week, opted to give Kaepernick the starting job again as the 49ers, like the Jets, ponder their future plans at quarterback. After recovering from a shoulder injury, running back Carlos Hyde has been solid in averaging more than 4.5 yards per carry in each of the past three games. Hyde leads the NFL’s fourth-ranked rushing offense with 686 yards.

San Francisco Stats:
Team record: 1-11 SU,2-9-1 ATS
Current Streak: lost 11 straight games.
San Francisco is 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 games
San Francisco is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
San Francisco is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home

EXTRA POINTS
1. Jets RB Matt Forte (784 yards rushing, 8 total touchdowns) could be in for a big workday against the 49ers, who rank last in the NFL defending the rush allowing 169.3 yards a game.
2. The Jets are 31st in the NFL with a minus-15 turnover mark fueled by 14 interceptions by Fitzpatrick.
3. San Francisco has won seven of the past eight games in the series, including 34-0 in their last meeting in 2012.

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Indianapolis Colts vs New York Jets
When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, December 5, 2016
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE: Colts -1.5. O/U: 48.5
PREDICTION: Colts 28, Jets 17

Oddsmakers currently have the Colts listed as 2-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game’s total is sitting at 48½.

Brandon Marshall reeled in his first touchdown reception since Oct. 9 on Sunday and looks to continue to torment the Colts, against whom he has 37 catches for 420 yards and four scores in his last three meetings. The veteran wideout is expected to be matched up against former Dolphins teammate Vontae Davis despite nursing knee and foot injuries that have prevented him from practicing on Thursday and Friday. New York could also look to exploit Indianapolis’ 23rd-ranked run defense (116.3 yards per game) with veteran Matt Forte, who has amassed 508 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) in the past five contests.

In their last action, New York was a 22-17 loser at home against the Patriots. They covered the +9.5-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (39) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

New York Stats:
Team record: 3-8 SU,4-6-1 ATS
Current Streak: lost 3 straight games.
NY Jets is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
NY Jets is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
NY Jets is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

Luck’s most trusted target is T.Y. Hilton (NFL fifth-best 942 receiving yards), and the elusive wideout is expected to play on Monday despite sustaining a back injury against the Steelers. Wide receiver Donte Moncrief reeled in a season high-tying six receptions last week and scored in his fourth straight game, although his yardage total (178) in that span doesn’t jump off the page. Veteran Frank Gore has struggled in each of the last two games with just 78 yards on 33 carries, but the 33-year-old needs just 30 yards rushing to move past Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett (12,739) for eighth on the NFL’s all-time list.

Last time out for Indianapolis, they were a 28-7 loser as they battled the Steelers at home. The Colts failed to cover in the match as a +8-point underdog, while 35 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Indianapolis Stats:
Team record: 5-6 SU,5-5-1 ATS
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Indianapolis’s last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indianapolis’s last 5 games on the road
Indianapolis is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing NY Jets

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New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
When: 11/27/2016 4:25 PM
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Patriots -7.5.
O/U: 47
PREDICTION: Patriots 26, Jets 20

Oddsmakers currently have the Patriots listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It seems as if everything Tom Brady does these days is some sort of milestone.

This week is certainly no exception.

After proving you can indeed go home again, Brady threw four touchdowns and no interceptions — the 21st time he has done that — in his first road game against the San Francisco 49ers, the team he loved growing up.

The win was the 199th overall in his career, tying him with Brett Favre for second place all time — just one behind the now-retired Peyton Manning. The Patriots are eight-point favorites for Brady to make it 200 this week against the 3-7 New York Jets.

He threw a touchdown pass to Malcolm Mitchell on Sunday. Mitchell became the 63rd receiver to catch a touchdown pass from Brady — now second only to Vinny Testaverde’s 70.

There’s more.

On Wednesday, he was named AFC offensive player of the week for the 27th time, tying Manning for the all-time lead there.

“Congrats to Tom. He’s a great player,” receiver Danny Amendola said. “No question, he’s our leader and we love playing for him.”

More?

Brady needs just 57 yards Sunday to become the fifth quarterback in history to throw for 60,000.

Brady has completed 70.4 percent of his passes, with 16 touchdowns and one interception, in the six games since his return from his four-game Deflategate suspension. The Patriots are 5-1 in those six games to sit at 8-2 in pursuit of their fifth Super Bowl title.

While Brady is as sure as it gets for the Patriots, the Jets come into this game as losers of six of their last seven. Last week, they tried Bryce Petty, but veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick is back at the helm this week after a bye.

“He’s healthy, he’s been our starter,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “I don’t see anything that could change that right now.”

With Jets fans again looking toward the future, Bowles made a statement by going back to the veteran over the youngster.

“I don’t think anything of that argument,” he said of the future. “We take it week by week. We’ll try to get four (wins). If we get four, we’ll try to get five and we’ll go from there. I don’t give away jobs. You have to take the job.”

Fitzpatrick has thrown eight touchdown passes and 13 interceptions this season.

The Patriots are more than familiar with Fitzpatrick, knowing he’s a veteran who can beat you in different ways.

“I played him before. I know this year the record hasn’t showed it, but this is a guy that last year won 10 games for them,” defensive end Chris Long said. “He is a franchise quarterback and he is a guy that can hurt you with his arm and his legs and he’s creative, he’s tough, I’ve even seen him go downfield and block on some extended run plays.

“He’s not afraid to get hit, so he’s a guy we definitely have a lot of respect for.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “He’s a dangerous player, very smart, has control of the offense, has the ability to get into plays that he likes. They use their receivers in the running game on look-passes, things like that.

“He’s tough. You see him scrambling for extra yards, diving forward, blocking on running plays if the runner reverses his field and things like that. He’s a fearless player. He’s tough, very competitive, and you’re right, he’s played very well against us whether it was in Buffalo or with the Jets, so we have a lot of respect for him.”

While the Jets are having problems all over the field, New England is trying to establish some identity on defense. They sacked Colin Kaepernick five times — all in the first half — last week, but that gave them just 21 for the season. They have turned the opposition over just seven times, with no turnovers in the last three games.

The Jets have coughed the ball up 20 times, second most in the NFL, so if the Patriots are going to get turnovers you’d figure playing two of the next six games against the Jets would be their chance.

Asked if turnovers can be just a matter of bounces, Long said, “Sometimes that’s all it is. We have to continue to work on the things we need to work on and one of those things is getting turnovers. But a lot of times the ball just darts your way or a tipped pass or a guy will have bad ball security — it’s all being opportunistic sometimes.”

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N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis
When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, September 21, 2015
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE: Colts -7. O/U: 47
PREDICTION: Colts 27, Jets 17
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Oddsmakers currently have the Colts listed as 7-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game’s total is sitting at 47.

Luck and Indianapolis’ offense did next to nothing for nearly three quarters a week ago and could be without top wideout T.Y. Hilton, who has not practiced this week after suffering a bruised knee that was thought to be much more severe. A pair of veteran newcomers both had quiet debuts with the Colts – Andre Johnson had four catches for 24 yards and running back Frank Gore was limited to 31 yards on 10 carries as Indy managed only 64 yards rushing. The Colts have issues on the other side of the ball with starting cornerback Greg Toler to miss a second straight week while his backup, Darius Butler (hip), did not practice Friday.

Indianapolis lost its last outing, a 27-14 result against the Bills on September 13. The Colts failed to cover in that game as a -1-point favorite, while the 41 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 0-1 SU,0-1 ATS
Indianapolis is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indianapolis’s last 5 games
Indianapolis is 10-2-1 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Indianapolis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home

New York amassed 154 yards on the ground against Cleveland but there are injury concerns over Chris Ivory (groin), who was limited in practice for a second straight day Friday after rushing for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in Week 1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, elevated to starter when Geno Smith had his jaw broken in the preseason, threw for 179 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while Brandon Marshall had six catches for 62 yards and a score in his Jets debut. New York’s defense forced five fumbles and had three sacks but figures to receive a much more stern test from Luck than Johnny Manziel.

New York was a 31-10 winner in its last match at home against the Browns. They covered the -3.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 41 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 1-0 SU,1-0 ATS
NY Jets is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
NY Jets is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Jets’s last 9 games
NY Jets is 4-7-2 ATS in its last 13 games on the road

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New England at N.Y. Jets
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 21, 2014
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Patriots -10.5. O/U: 47.
PREDICTION: Patriots 28, Jets 17
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Oddsmakers currently have the Patriots listed as 10-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game’s total is sitting at 47.

Another season without a playoff spot has head coach Rex Ryan on the hot seat, though Ryan insists the team is not fractured. “Anything that’s swirling around inside our team, I’m proud of this team,” Ryan told reporters. “We’ve got nothing (in terms of issues). Some guys’ reports are probably as far off as any I’ve ever seen. This team is tight. Our record is the only thing that stinks. We have a great group of guys that care, that prepare, practice hard. It’s obviously unfortunate that our record is what it is.” The Jets did managed to knock off the Patriots at home last season, 30-27 in overtime.

New York won its last outing, a 16-11 result against the Titans on December 14. The Jets covered in that game as a -3.5-point favorite, while the 27 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 3-11 SU,4-9-1 ATS
NY Jets is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 games
NY Jets is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Jets’s last 6 games
NY Jets is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home

New England topped out at 23 points in back-to-back road games before returning home last week and putting up 24 points in the third quarter alone in a 41-13 win over the Miami Dolphins that clinched the AFC East. Several of those big plays in the third quarter came from tight end Rob Gronkowski, who went over 1,000 yards on the season for the second time in his career last week. “His football IQ and understanding of what it takes to be a professional and consistently and dependably be that type of player for our offense that he’s become, has been fun to see,” Brady told reporters. “He’s got the size advantage, the speed advantage, and he’s really becoming so aware out there of different coverages and things they’re trying to do to stop him.”

The Patriots were a 41-13 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Dolphins. They covered the -9-point spread as favorites, while the total score (54) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 11-3 SU,9-5 ATS
New England is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
New England is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of New England’s last 11 games
New England is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road

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Multiple sources within the organization tell ESPN that Idzik has alienated not just Jets fans, but those in the organization around him in the front office and on the coaching staff. Those sources in the organization said Idzik has not played the game of politics well, internally or externally, and it has cost him support in various areas.

Jets management is aware of the unhappiness being expressed about Idzik and that is expected to be a consideration when Jets owner Woody Johnson decides just how major the changes he makes to the organization will be.

The people behind the website FireJohnIdzik.com, who raised money from disgruntled New York Jets fans to put a billboard near MetLife Stadium, announced Friday that it will distribute “protest towels” to fans at the Jets’ final home, Dec. 21 against the New England Patriots.

The group produced 10,000 “protest towels” that will be available late next week in various bars in the New York/New Jersey area. Show a ticket to the bartender, and you get five free towels.

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N.Y. Jets at Minnesota
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 7, 2014
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Vikings -4½ O/U: 40½
PREDICTION: Jets 20, Vikings 16
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Oddsmakers currently have the Vikings listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game’s total is sitting at 40½.

For the second time in as many seasons, Percy Harvin will face the team that selected him with a first-round pick in 2009. The 26-year-old initially made a loud statement against his former club by returning a kickoff 58 yards before being limited to just one catch in Seattle’s 41-20 victory on Nov. 17, 2013. The Seahawks eventually cut bait with the explosive Harvin, who reeled in 11 receptions for 129 yards in his second game after being acquired by the Jets before mustering just five for 13 over the last three contests.

Last time out for Minnesota, they were a 31-13 winner as they battled the Panthers at home. The Vikings covered in the match as a -2.5-point favorite, while 44 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team record: 4-7 SU,6-5 ATS
Minnesota is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 7 games
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home

For the second time in as many seasons, Percy Harvin will face the team that selected him with a first-round pick in 2009. The 26-year-old initially made a loud statement against his former club by returning a kickoff 58 yards before being limited to just one catch in Seattle’s 41-20 victory on Nov. 17, 2013. The Seahawks eventually cut bait with the explosive Harvin, who reeled in 11 receptions for 129 yards in his second game after being acquired by the Jets before mustering just five for 13 over the last three contests.

New York was a 16-13 loser in its last match at home against the Dolphins. They covered the +7-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 29 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

New York:
Team record: 2-10 SU,3-8-1 ATS
NY Jets is 3-8-1 ATS in its last 12 games
NY Jets is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Jets’s last 5 games
NY Jets is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road

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When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 2, 2014
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Chiefs -10. O/U: 41.5
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Jets 10
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Oddsmakers currently have the Chiefs listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Jets, while the game’s total is sitting at 41½.

One of the few things the Jets do well is stop the run, which happens to be Kansas City’s greatest strength on offense. Knile Davis has stepped up to join Jamaal Charles and give the Chiefs a more dynamic rushing attack that helps take the pressure of quarterback Alex Smith, who played through a shoulder injury last week. “I’ve had a history of stuff with my right shoulder,” Smith told reporters. “I was a little sore, but I felt good.” Smith, who went 25-of-29 in the 34-7 win over the Rams despite the nagging injury, has been practicing and plans to play on Sunday.

Kansas City was a 34-7 winner in its last match at home against the Rams. They covered the -7.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 41 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 4-3 SU,5-2 ATS
Kansas City is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City’s last 7 games
Kansas City is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home

Vick came on in relief of an ineffective Geno Smith last week against Buffalo but was not much better than the starter, going 18-of-36 for 153 yards, an interception and two fumbles. “I think having the chance to work out with the ones and get a chance to get all the reps and create an understanding of the game plan with the quarterback coach and with the offensive coordinator firsthand is always important,” Vick told reporters of his planning this week. “It just puts you in the position where you have a chance for better success.” One of those first-teamers that Vick gets a chance to practice with is wide receiver Percy Harvin, who was limited to three catches for 22 yards in his team debut last week.

New York was a 43-23 loser in its last match at home against the Bills. They failed to cover the -3-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 66 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 1-7 SU,1-6-1 ATS
Current Streak: lost 7 straight games.
NY Jets is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games
NY Jets is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Jets’s last 7 games
NY Jets is 2-4-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road

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Holmes said his objective is “to not have any setbacks by moving too fast. The season doesn’t start until September. Definitely have to take our time and I’ll be ready to go when the bell rings.”

The Jets open in 50 days against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Darrelle Revis. Holmes wouldn’t guarantee he’ll be there, insisting he’s in a day-to-day mode. When pressed on his availability for Week 1, he said, “Once the season gets ready to start, hopefully I’ll be ready to roll.”

It won’t be easy.

Holmes, still not running and cutting at full speed, is expected to begin training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list. He’s been running at least three days a week, but he’s limited to a gravity-assisted treadmill — in other words, no full weight-bearing activity.

“I don’t have a target date,” Holmes said in blistering heat at a charity flag-football event on Roosevelt Island. “I’m just stating the facts that the season starts soon and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize myself for being ready for the season.”

Holmes suffered a LisFranc injury last October — a Grade 4 injury, the most severe kind. He underwent two surgeries, the latter in February to remove screws that were inserted in the initial operation.

He acknowledged its severity, saying “it’s really difficult to learn how to walk again. You don’t realize what you have until it’s gone. To lose a ligament and have separation in your joints and have screws placed in there, it takes a while to get back into the swing of things.”

Holmes said LisFranc injuries have been known to “shut down careers.” But he said he never thought his career was in jeopardy. Holmes, wearing a compression sleeve on his lower left leg, seemed to be walking gingerly as he mingled with fans Saturday on an artificial-turf field.

“It’s been getting better,” he said. “We’ve been making great progress every day. That’s all the coaches and trainers are looking for — continue to make great progress and not have any setbacks.”

The Jets are counting on Holmes because he’s their top playmaker, but they’re prepared for the likelihood that he will miss time in camp. That will pose a challenge because they’re installing a new system. It also could hurt his chemistry with rookie Geno Smith — if he wins the starting job.

Holmes, who has publicly backed Mark Sanchez in the past, stayed away from any bold comments on the anticipated quarterback competition. Asked if he’d be surprised if Smith wins the job, Holmes replied, “If Rex (Ryan) loves him, we have to love him.”

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