Coach Says Holmes Is Out Against Patriots

Ian Logue

Nov 15, 2004 at 5:00am ET

It appears the Patriots will have one less thing to worry about as they get set to take on the 3-6 Kansas City Chiefs next Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil told the Associated Press on Monday that he expects his star offensive player, running back Priest Holmes, to miss next week's game while he recovers from sprained knee ligaments.

"I would say he's out," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said Monday. "I think he's made a little progress, but he's got a long ways to go. I don't see him being any different than it was last week."

Holmes missed Sunday's game against New Orleans. Teammate Derrick Blaylock ran for 186 yards in his absence during the team's 27-20 loss to the Saints.

Vermeil also reportedly said he does not expect Holmes to need surgery.

"That has not been expressed to me," Vermeil said. "Those sprains, they give them degrees, and everybody comes back at a different tempo. He always comes back quickly. But he's sprained that knee before so there's some other issues there as well."

"So we'll just be patient with him. We won't bring him back too fast, believe me."

Holmes had a big game in his last meeting with New England, gaining 180 yards on 30 carries, including 2 rushing touchdowns and one receiving TD. The Patriots won that game 41-38 in overtime back on September 22, 2002.