For the second consecutive season, Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will have his season end early due to injury. Holmes has head and neck trauma related to spinal injuries after receiving a helmet-to-helmet shot against the San Diego Chargers two weeks ago.

Holmes does not need any surgery but will need to avoid contact for 30 days to be safe. The Chiefs have already placed him on the injured reserve, officially ending his season. If Holmes has contact, he could risk paralysis.

This year, Holmes rushed for 451 yards and six touchdowns while splitting time with running back Larry Johnson.

"We're going to miss him," said Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil. "He's more than a football player for this organization."

Johnson will be the team's starter for the remainder of the year. Johnson has rushed for 506 yards for a 5.2 yards per carry average already. Johnson started this past week against the Oakland Raiders and had two touchdowns, including one as time expired.

"Larry Johnson has already carried the load. He knows he can do it," Vermeil said. "He just doesn't have a Priest Holmes backing him up like he backed up Priest Holmes."

Holmes is expected to return next year rather than retiring. The decision not to trade Johnson last year looks like a very wise decision for the Chiefs right about now. If things do not turn out the best for Holmes, then Johnson could be their starter for years to come.

Last year when Holmes went down, the team was able to turn to running back Derrick Blaylock as well. Blaylock now plays for the Jets, meaning that Johnson will have to carry a heavy load to keep his team in the playoff race.