NFL

AFC: Knee injury might knock out Holmes

By wire services
Published November 9, 2004

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Chiefs running back Priest Holmes has strained ligaments in his right knee and might not be able to play this weekend.

The star running back left Sunday's loss to the Bucs with about four minutes left in the third quarter. His injury was said to be a bruised knee, but the team learned Monday that Holmes has a strained MCL and could miss the game at New Orleans.

"The extent of the strain will only be known after a period of days," coach Dick Vermeil said. "We'll go ahead and prepare as if he's not going to be there."

Vermeil said Holmes was "a little better" and will be evaluated daily.

Holmes, 31, leads the NFL with 892 yards rushing and 90 points despite being dogged much of the season with nagging injuries.

KEEPING THEIR HEADS: All that talk of swagger and playoffs was gone when the Chargers reconvened. That's what happens when Marty Schottenheimer is the coach.

The high-scoring Chargers head into their bye week at 6-3 after a 43-17 rout of the Saints on Sunday. As impressive as they've looked in winning three straight and five of six, Schottenheimer doesn't want his players to get too far ahead of themselves.

"I think our players for the most part understand it, that in this business it can turn on you in a heartbeat," Schottenheimer said.

"And you better not forget how you managed to battle your way into the position we found ourselves in right now, which is there are a number of very good teams in the AFC right now. We're certainly not among the elite in this league and we're going to get challenged over the course of the coming weeks."

BENGALS: Receiver Chad Johnson apologized for letting frustration get the best of him during Sunday's 26-3 win over Dallas. Johnson, one of the team's most popular players, was harshly criticized by fans for throwing a beverage cup on the sideline and angrily pulling off his chin strap after an incompletion. Johnson said the issue wasn't his number of catches, four for 58 yards, but the mistakes he made in blocking and other assignments.

BROWNS: Offensive guard Kelvin Garmon is out for the season after tearing knee ligaments Sunday in Baltimore. Defensive back Leigh Bodden also is out for the season with a torn chest muscle.

RAIDERS: Rookie tight end Courtney Anderson will miss four to six weeks with a sprained left knee. Also, guard Ron Stone had arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome left knee and is expected to be out the same amount of time.

[Last modified November 9, 2004, 00:27:24]