Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Priest Holmes Re-Injures Neck

by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2007 7:12 PM CST

According to sources, Holmes was dinged two or three times on Sunday. The last time came in the fourth quarter, which saw him leave the field in a wobbly state after his 20th touch of the game.

As a result, Holmes saw a specialist early this week and will see a series of specialists who can help him better determine his future. In light of the fact Holmes is already returning from a neck injury, this latest scare certainly has to raise questions, not only about this year, but about the future of his career.

Leg injuries are one thing. A torn ACL, it's tough, but people can come back from that. But, with a neck, no one is going to be taking any chances. After only his second full start, specialists are already questioning Priest's health status. With LJ already out, and assuming Priest is out this week, rookie Kolby Smith will become the featured back.

This report is from Jay Glazer. The Chiefs haven't officially offered any word on this yet. Let's keep our fingers crossed on this one.

Update: Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is reporting that Priest Holmes is set to announce his retirement as early as Wednesday afternoon. Check back here for updates or leave your own in the comments section throughout the day.

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If this turns out to be true

then all of this talk about playoffs certainly has a bit more uncertainty added to it.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2007 7:33 PM CST reply actions

yeah

I like a lot of what I've seen from Kolby Smith, but 25+ carries a game (and a few for newly-signed no-name HB)? I hope so...

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 20, 2007 7:58 PM CST reply actions

Exactly

Do we have anyone behind him? I don't see anyone on the depth chart. What over-the-hill, big named RB are we going to sign? Natrone Means? Harvey Williams?

by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2007 8:00 PM CST up reply actions

Next week

Next week Brodie Croyle will throw for 500 yards and 6 touchdowns, then break his kneecap kneeling down on the final play of the game.

I swear Herm has the worst luck with injuries to key players.

by DJ @ Arrowhead Pride on Nov 20, 2007 9:59 PM CST reply actions

Get ready...

for your first Boomer Grigsby offensive sighting of the year.

Enjoy it while you can.

by mikvogel on Nov 20, 2007 10:16 PM CST reply actions

No kidding

Surely Kolby Smith, Boomer and I guess Kris Wilson can't carry the load. There is a running back sitting on his couch right now that will be getting carries for the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend. Think about that.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2007 10:34 PM CST up reply actions

ESPN picked it up too

This is what ESPN had to say:

An unidentified source told NFL.com on Tuesday night that Holmes was "retiring for sure" at a noon (CT) press conference.

Take that for what it's worth. Herm acknowledged that Priest was hurt and evaluating his options.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 20, 2007 10:58 PM CST reply actions

retiring

I would find it highly unusual that a guy that fought his way back after 2 years trying to heal would throw in the towl that fast.

I'm just as much in the dark as everyone else is about what his actual injury is, but I would think that they would want to do a bunch of tests and he would want to think about it a while before just calling it quits.

Who knows, maybe it hurt him bad enough it scared him into retirement. Guess we'll find out tomorrow.

by DJ @ Arrowhead Pride on Nov 20, 2007 11:41 PM CST up reply actions

If it were anything other than a neck

I would agree with you. The risk of paralysis, nerve damage, etc is too high.

But let's all keep in mind that the Chiefs haven't officially said anything on this. Priest has made the improbably climb back to the line up before.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2007 4:33 AM CST up reply actions

Herm

Priest all the best to you,there you go Herm taking out another running back and did not even step on the field.This suck's,Gun only got two years Herm should get the same.

by Eric @ Arrowhead Pride on Nov 20, 2007 11:17 PM CST reply actions

idiot

Priest got about 40 carries in 2 starts. And you're blaming Herm for his injury, even though he had a history of neck problems.

Yes, you are a supreme idiot.

by LOL on Nov 21, 2007 5:45 AM CST up reply actions

This isn't a KC Star message board

Let's keep the personal insults to a minimum.

Anytime you are coming back from a neck injury, doctors have probably completely cleared you to play. Teams and players take this sort of thing very seriously. You have gone with messing with a guy's ability to walk in the case of a torn ACL to messing with a guy's life in the case of a neck.

If Priest wasn't 100%, then he wouldn't have been on the field. I don't think you can blame Herm for this, he can't hold anyone back, especially if we just have a rookie behind him.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2007 6:16 AM CST up reply actions

That's fine

call me an idiot,but look at Herm and injury history he is jinxed.How many quarterbacks,runningbacks?

by Eric @ Arrowhead Pride on Nov 21, 2007 7:10 AM CST up reply actions

The running game

is an essential part of the style of offense he runs. His RBs do get overused.

And as far as QBs, I think the Chad Pennington example is more of a reflection of him as a glass player than Herm as a coach.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2007 7:13 AM CST up reply actions

Plus side?

Brodie will be throwing down field every play.

by sir eccles on Nov 21, 2007 12:07 AM CST reply actions

We can only hope

by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2007 4:33 AM CST up reply actions

The Team is denying the rumor

and I don't think they would lie right to our faces...he is probably a little sore, but retirement? I don't think so, will he play against Oakland?... maybe not.

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 21, 2007 7:00 AM CST reply actions

Have they denied it?

I heard Herm say that he has heard the rumor but basically said they're still evaluating.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2007 7:07 AM CST up reply actions

Stupid Fox 4

news this morning said "deny"

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 21, 2007 7:45 AM CST up reply actions

Hmm

Fox 4 again. That's different from Herm's press conference.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2007 7:59 AM CST up reply actions

Derrick Ross

could he he be called up as a backup to Kolby,he knows the offense.

by Eric @ Arrowhead Pride on Nov 21, 2007 8:07 AM CST reply actions

Fumblitis

He'll have to probably.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2007 8:47 AM CST up reply actions

Whole can of super strength stick um

by Eric @ Arrowhead Pride on Nov 21, 2007 8:53 AM CST reply actions

I knew

for a fact that Priest wouldnt last, so this is no suprise. It seemed like he had a different injury every season, and he IS 34 YEARS old. We need to pray that Larry will eventually recover from this injury, because I think he's the BEST pure speed-powerback that I've ever seen play. Any back would struggle behind this group of bad-lineman, theres a reason Adrian Peterson has his success, and his extremely mobile line has alot to do with it. You'll see Matt Burk throwing blocks ten yards up field, and not even Brian Waters is doing that!!

xX Ram-Bowe Xx

by D Thomas on Nov 21, 2007 10:47 AM CST reply actions