Chiefs place Holmes on reserve

[BengalszoneBilly]

A smart move IMHO. RB's are so often injured. And it can't hurt to have some backup like this waiting in the wings.

By STEVE BRISENDINE, AP Sports Writer

September 1, 2007

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Kansas City Chiefs placed former Pro Bowl running back Priest Holmes on the reserve/non-football injury list on Saturday, guaranteeing that his absence from the game will stretch to almost two years.

After their first six games, the Chiefs will have a three-week window to activate the franchise career rushing leader.

The Chiefs also cut 20 other players to trim their roster to 53 by Saturday's deadline. The list included Casey Printers, a former Canadian Football League star who had been projected as the third quarterback.

Holmes, 33, hasn't played since Oct. 30, 2005, when a brutal hit from San Diego's Shawne Merriman aggravated a potentially dangerous spinal condition. The three-time Pro Bowler spent last season at home in Texas.

By then, though, Larry Johnson was already Kansas City's new star, carrying for 1,750 yards, in only nine starts, in 2005 and then rushing for 1,789 yards on an NFL-record 416 carries last year.

In each of those years, he broke club single-season rushing records.

Holmes caused a sensation when he unexpectedly reported at the beginning of training camp, saying he saw himself in a dream playing football and hoped to provide leadership.

Chiefs officials have said repeatedly, however, that if he were to make the club, it would be in a greatly reduced role.

Johnson, who held out for most of the summer, has since rejoined the team. Holmes hasn't taken a practice snap in the preseason.

Holmes has 5,933 yards rushing and 76 touchdowns for the Chiefs. Always a receiving threat before his injury, he has 246 catches for 2,360 yards and seven TDs. In 11 NFL seasons, he has 86 rushing touchdowns and 8,035 yards rushing.

The Chiefs also released wide receivers Brad Ekwerekwu, Chris Hannon and Ean Randolph; safety Marlon Fair; defensive tackles Kiki Gonzalez and Patrice Majondo-Mwamba; fullback Gilbert Harris; defensive ends Michael Heard and Montez Murphy; guards Rob Hunt and Tre Stallings; tackle James Newby; running back Marcus O'Keith; cornerbacks Justin Phinisee and Will Poole; linebackers Nick Reid and Rich Scanlon; quarterback Jeff Terrell; and tight end Keith Willis.