New York Jets coach Rex Ryan ripped into rookie running back Joe McKnight after the fourth-round selection fumbled Thursday night for the third time in the preseason.

“Joe McKnight’s got to hold on to the football,’’ Ryan said after his team beat the Eagles, 21-17, to finish 2-2 on the preseason. “That was disappointing. Here’s a guy (McKnight) that’s on the bubble of making the active roster and I don’t have confidence in him. I don’t see how he can make the active roster. That’s how I feel about it.’’

Wow! “I don’t have confidence in him” is pretty direct. With Saturday being cut down day for NFL teams to reach the 53-man roster limit I would keep my bags packed if I was McKnight.