Holmes out for season due to helmet-to-helmet hit
Associated Press
Publication: ESPN
Date: November 9, 2005
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will miss the rest of the season because of the lingering effects of a helmet-to-helmet hit.
Holmes, 32, a three-time Pro Bowler whose 66 touchdowns between 2002-2004 are an NFL record for any three-year span, was injured Oct. 30 during the Chiefs’ loss at San Diego. He was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.
Injuries have caused Holmes, the Chiefs’ career rushing leader, to cut short two of his last three seasons. But he has shown flashes of his old self while rushing for 451 yards and six touchdowns on 119 carries. He also has 21 catches for 197 yards, including a 60-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in a victory over Washington on Oct. 16.
“We’re going to miss him,” coach Dick Vermeil said. “He’s more than a football player for this organization.”
The Chiefs will now turn to Holmes’ backup, Larry Johnson, who has averaged 5.2 yards per carry, with 506 yards on 97 attempts. Johnson had two touchdowns in the 27-23 victory Sunday over Oakland, including a 1-yard vault on the final play of the game. He has frequently complained he was not being given enough carries.
“Larry Johnson has already carried the load. He knows he can do it,” Vermeil said. “He just doesn’t have a Priest Holmes backing him up like he backed up Priest Holmes.”
Holmes missed last week’s game against Oakland and in the past two weeks has seen spinal-injury specialists in California and Florida. Speculation had been rampant he would be out for an extended period, although the Chiefs (5-3) said they were hopeful he would soon return to the lineup.
