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11-20-2007 07:27 PM |
Report: Holmes re-injures neck, future unclear
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
Priest Holmes
Johnson out for Chiefs-Raiders game
The Chiefs may be operating out of an empty backfield on Sunday.
Literally.
A few hours after declaring running back Larry Johnson out for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders, a report emerged Tuesday evening on FOXSports.com that Priest Holmes re-injured his neck during last Sunday’s loss at Indianapolis, and his immediate future, if not his career, could be in jeopardy.
That would leave rookie Kolby Smith, a fifth-round draft choice with 10 carries for 19 yards, as the only running back available unless the Chiefs add a player this week.
The Chiefs were aware of the report, and Coach Herm Edwards said, “Priest got dinged in the game in Indianapolis. He did return to the game before eventually coming out. We’re evaluating him, and we’ll see where it’s at (today).”
Holmes carried 19 times for 55 hard-earned yards last Sunday and gave way during a third-quarter possession to Smith _ the only other running back on the active roster. But Holmes carried twice in the fourth quarter before Smith re-entered the game.
Holmes, 34, suffered a head/neck injury on Oct. 30, 2005 and sat out the rest of that season and all of last season before making a comeback during training camp. He was activated for the Oct. 21 game at Oakland, took over for an injured Johnson against Green Bay and started the last two games.
He has carried 46 times for 137 yards and has caught five passes for 17 yards.
Johnson will miss his third straight game he has missed since injuring the foot in a 33-22 loss to Green Bay on Nov. 4.
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