Free-agent wide receiver Laveranues Coles, who played with the Jets from 2000 to 2002 and 2005-08, will work out for team officials Friday at the team's headquarters in Florham Park, N.J., a league source told ESPNNewYork.com.
Barring complications, Coles is expected to sign with his former team. The Jets report to training camp Sunday in Cortland, N.Y.
With Santonio Holmes out the first four games due to a league suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy, the Jets are looking for insurance at wide receiver.
Coles would join Jerricho Cotchery, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith as the top four receivers for the first four games.
Coles left the Jets after the 2008 season, a mutual parting in which he agreed to waive his guaranteed salary in 2009. It was risky, but he wound up signing a four-year, $28 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
At 32, Coles appears to have lost a step. He produced only 43 catches for 514 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Bengals. He's also had concussion issues in the past, but he could be a good fit with the Jets because they won't ask him to be an every-down player. He always was a popular player in the locker room, well-respected for his toughness and work ethic.
The decision to visit with Coles comes only two days after word leaked that the Jets had placed an exploratory phone call to Terrell Owens' agent. Owens wound up signing with the Bengals.
In 10 seasons, Coles has 674 catches for 8,609 yards and 49 touchdowns.
Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.
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