Gang place ailing Holmes on PUP list

The Jets will be without top wide receiver Santonio Holmes when practice begins Friday.

Holmes was placed on the physically unable to perform list yesterday. The move was expected, as coach Rex Ryan said he believed Holmes would have to begin training camp on the PUP list after the receiver under went two foot surgeries in the past nine months.

Holmes suffered a Lisfranc injury in his left foot during the fourth game last season and missed the rest of the year. He had surgery in October and then again in February to complete the repair of his foot.

It is unknown how long Holmes will be out. The Jets are hoping he will be ready for

JETS NOTES their regularseason opener against the Buccaneers on Sept. 8.

Quarterback won’t be the only spot up for grabs when the Jets report to training camp. The team signed kicker Billy

Cundiff to give incumbent Nick

Folk some competition for the job. Cundiff, 33, is a veteran who has bounced around the league. The Jets will be his 12th team. The deal is for the veteran’s minimum of $840,000, according to a source.

Cundiff started last season as the Redskins kicker, but was released after hitting just 7of12 field goals in five games. The 49ers picked him up during the playoffs last season, but he never kicked for them.

Folk made 21of27 field goals last season, his third with the Jets.

To clear a roster spot, the Jets released kicker Brett Maher. They also signed long snapper Pat Scales and tackle Jeffrey Shugarts, and released wide receiver Thomas Mayo and tackle Mark Popek.