BledisloeHolmes battles pusheslack of World game Cup time to in Jets backgroundNFL quest

RUGBY VALENTINE UNION: Holmes’s hopes of making the New York Jets’ regular season roster are slipping away with the former NRL star receiving scant opportunities against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Jets went with four other running backs before Holmes eventually entered yesterday’s pre-season game at Atlanta with just two minutes to go in the game.

He only managed three yards on three carries and for the second straight week was not given an opportunity as a punt or kick returner.

The Jets won the game 22-10, with starting quarterback Sam Darnold completing five of his seven passes for 46 yards. The Jets have just two pre-season games left before they open the regular season against the Buffalo Bills on September 8.

The team must slash its preseason roster of around 90 players to 53, with Holmes likely to take a place on the team’s 11-man practice squad as part of the NFL’S International Pathway program. Practice squad players train with the team but do not play games.

The Jets face the New Orleans Saints next weekend in the third pre-season match-up but the contest is traditionally a ‘dress rehearsal’ game for the team’s first and second-string players.

Jets coach Adam Gase offered players on the fringe some hope, telling reporters he is yet to finalise his 53-man squad.

“There’s a lot of opportunities for guys and it’s wide open,” Gase said after the game.

Holmes is anchored at the bottom of the Jets’ six-man running back corps.