WR Santonio Holmes missed his fourth straight OTA practice Thursday because he still was on a good-will trip to Germany to meet with U.S. troops, according to the Jets. Holmes left last Thursday for Germany.
S LaRon Landry, a key free-agent acquisition, has missed all six OTA sessions. In his case, the Jets didn't offer an explanation, except to emphasize that the workouts are voluntary. Landry still is rehabbing an Achilles-tendon injury from last season, so that explains why he can't participate on the field. But he also hasn't been attending classroom meetings.
Rex Ryan seemed uncomfortable discussing Landry's absence. He said he hasn't spoken to Landry, saying they've exchanged a few texts.
"It's a voluntary thing," Ryan said. "Do I think he's going to struggle picking up our defense when training camp rolls around? If he's healthy enough to get out there and strong enough to play, no, I don't. But he's got a playbook. Guys learn differently."
CB Antonio Cromartie, who missed last week's open OTA to be with his family, returned.
LOOMING JAIL TIME: NT Kenrick Ellis, who will report to a Hampton, Va., prison June 15 to serve a minimum of 45 days for misdemeanor assault and battery, said he's "very relieved" his legal ordeal almost is over.
"I don't want to talk about it, I don't want to think about it," he said.
Ellis is due in jail the day after the Jets' mandatory minicamp.
SEEING RED: The Jets, who led the league in red-zone efficiency, practiced for the first time in the red area. The highlights: In a seven-on-seven drill, Mark Sanchez threw TD passes to RB Joe McKnight and TE Dustin Keller. Tim Tebow hit rookie WR Stephen Hill in the back of the end zone for a TD. On another play, Tebow held the ball too long and a pass into the corner of the end zone was deflected by CB Darrelle Revis.
OC Tony Sparano said about 60 percent of his offense has been installed. They also worked on a two-minute drill. Sanchez, starting at his own 45 with 1:10 on the clock, hit three straight completions. But the drive stalled at the 13 after a delay-of-game penalty (Sparano not happy) and three straight incompletions. On the final play, McKnight beat rookie LB Demario Davis on a wheel route, but dropped the ball in the end zone as time expired.
Tebow didn't get an opportunity to run the two-minute. Greg McElroy handle the second-team reps.
GOOD-WILL HUNTER: Beleaguered RT Wayne Hunter received an endorsement from Sparano, who said: "From what I've seen from him this spring right now, you know, I've been impressed with what he's done. I'm not just saying that ... You guys will figure out pretty soon that I don't say things just to say things."
Vladimir Ducasse, the presumptive backup at right tackle, continued to work at left guard.
INJURY REPORT: LB David Harris, out last week with a strained calf, was back in team drills ... WR Jeremy Kerley (hamstring) sat out. He said it tightened up Wednesday ... OLB Bryan Thomas is moving well on his surgically repaired Achilles' tendon, but he's still not in team or individual drills.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Jets legend Joe Namath celebrated his 69th birthday Thursday.