P. Holmes Said to be Considering Immediate Retirement After Re-Injuring Neck

Tailback Priest Holmes is said to be contemplating retirement after re-injuring his neck during the Kansas City Chiefs' loss Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts.

An NFL source said this morning that Holmes had been examined by doctors in recent days and would make a decision soon, perhaps today, after consulting with his closest advisers.

Holmes suffered a career-threatening neck injury during a game against the San Diego Chargers in October 2005. He was thought to be retired until he surprised Chiefs officials by showing up at training camp this past summer. He began the season on the physically unable to perform list but was activated last month and played in four games. He'd replaced Larry Johnson as the Chiefs' starter at running back because of a foot injury suffered by Johnson.

Holmes, 34, has played in 10 NFL seasons for the Baltimore Ravens and Chiefs. He's had four seasons with more than 1,000 rushing yards. He ran for 1,615 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Chiefs in 2002, and for 1,420 yards and 27 touchdowns the following season.

With both Johnson and Holmes sidelined, rookie Kolby Smith likely becomes the Chiefs' starter.

It's unclear if Johnson will play again this season. He is to miss his third straight game since suffering what the Chiefs have described only as a midfoot injury. Team president Carl Peterson and Coach Herman Edwards have refused to provide further details, saying that is at Johnson's request. Johnson said during an appearance on Peterson's radio show last week that he expects to play again this season, and the Chiefs have not placed him on the season-ending injured reserve list.

But there are suspicions around the league that Johnson suffered a Lisfranc injury, a sometimes-serious midfoot sprain or fracture that requires surgery in some cases. Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney had his season ended by a Lisfranc injury.

By Mark Maske |  November 21, 2007; 9:17 AM ET  | Category:  Chiefs
Previous: Some Field Goals Could Be Subject to Replay Reviews in Future Seasons | Next: Week 12 Picks

The comments to this entry are closed.