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ESPN - Sources: Chiefs' Holmes considering retirement - NFL

Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes relied on his faith and hard work to return to football 18 months after suffering a potential career-ending neck injury. Now, his faith will be tested again after banging up his neck in Sunday's loss to the Colts.

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said Holmes was injured in the Colts game and that he is being evaluated. That news came on the same day Edwards ruled out Larry Johnson for a third game because of a foot injury.

Foxsports.com first reported on Tuesday that Holmes' career could be in jeopardy and he is seeing specialists after a series of hits on Sunday.

Rookie Kolby Smith probably will get the start against the Raiders although the team won't update Holmes' status until Wednesday afternoon. Holmes' agent, Todd France, was not available Tuesday.

At 34 years old, Holmes had to treat every game as though it could be his last. He returned in training camp while Johnson was holding out. Feeling confident Holmes was back, the Chiefs sent Michael Bennett to Tampa Bay at the trading deadline in October. Holmes was on the physically unable to perform list until he was activated for the seventh week of the season, ironically a game against the Raiders.

In three games, Holmes has 137 yards on 46 carries along with five receptions for 17 more yards. His workload has increased over the past two games with Johnson out. He's had 39 carries over the past two weeks. Holmes played to around the eight minute mark of the fourth quarter last week when he was replaced by Smith.

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