The banged-up New York Jets, who lost wide receiver Santonio Holmes last weekend to a season-ending foot injury, will be without three other offensive starters when they face the undefeated Houston Texans on Monday night at MetLife Stadium.
Tight end Dustin Keller, wide receiver Stephen Hill and fullback John Conner -- all battling hamstring injuries -- are not expected to play, according to a source.
Nose tackle Sione Pouha (back) also isn't expected to play, the source said.
All four were listed as doubtful on the team's injury report Saturday. None practiced this week.
It's more bad news for an offense that has produced only one touchdown in its past 34 possessions. The only healthy skill-position starter is running back Shonn Greene, who is off to a slow start. The Jets (2-2), coming off a 34-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, will try to regroup against the NFL's top-ranked defense.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez, fighting for his job, will be throwing to a receiving corps of Jeremy Kerley, Chaz Schilens and backup Clyde Gates. The Jets may have to activate Jason Hill, whom they signed Wednesday and took Holmes' spot on the roster.
"I would urge you to go look at the last time that we've really had No.84 (Stephen Hill), No.81 (Keller), No.11 (Kerley) and No.10 (Holmes) on the field at the same time," offensive coordinator Tony Sparano said Friday.
It rarely happened in training camp, because of injuries to Holmes and Kerley. The group was together for a handful of plays in the season-opening win against the Buffalo Bills, but Keller re-injured his hamstring in the game and hasn't played since.
