Holmes makes return after long layoff
Priest Holmes completed his improbable comeback Sunday, returning to the Kansas City Chiefs’ lineup nearly two years after a serious neck injury threatened the three-time Pro Bowl running back’s career.
Holmes played for the first time since Oct. 30, 2005, in the Chiefs’ 12-10 road victory over the rival Oakland Raiders. Though he managed just 9 yards on four carries, his pain-free performance suggested the former star’s comeback story has additional chapters.
Holmes was thrown for a 6-yard loss after catching a screen pass on his first snap. In the fourth quarter he had three carries during Kansas City’s important clock-killing drive in the final minutes, including an 8-yard run for a first down.
“For a guy that hadn’t played in a long time, he did a good job,” coach Herm Edwards said. “He got through it, and now he’ll be more involved in it.”
Kansas City apparently intends to use Holmes as a third-down back behind Larry Johnson, who became one of the NFL’s elite ball carriers during Holmes’ absence. Johnson had 3,539 yards rushing over the past two seasons, carrying the Kansas City offense in Holmes’ absence.
Dolphins’ Thomas in accident
To cap another dismal day for the winless Miami Dolphins, middle linebacker Zach Thomas wrecked his vehicle on the way home from the latest loss.
Thomas’ vehicle was damaged when rear-ended on the Florida Turnpike, but he and his wife were unhurt, the team said.
That was the best news of the day for the Dolphins, who were beaten 49-28 by the New England Patriots. Miami fell to 0-7 and lost running back Ronnie Brown and two safeties to injuries.
Streaks
The Patriots improved to 7-0 for the first time in franchise history with a 49-28 win over the Dolphins, and matched an NFL record by winning each game by at least 17 points. New England’s 42 points by halftime were a franchise record for a half, and the 49 points were the most ever allowed by the Dolphins at home. … Miami is 0-7 for the first time in team history, and has lost 10 straight to extend a franchise record. … Jeff Garcia set a Tampa Bay record by completing 18 straight passes. He has now thrown 270 passes without an interception, including last postseason for the Eagles, for the longest active streak. … Dallas is 6-1 for the first time since 1995, its last Super Bowl season, and beat the Vikings for the first time since 1996.
Milestones
Tampa Bay’s Joey Galloway surpassed 10,000 yards receiving in his career with five catches for 46 yards in a 23-16 loss to the Lions. … Miami’s Jason Taylor returned an interception 36 yards for a TD, the eighth of his career to set the modern NFL record for a defensive lineman.