Despite a knee injury that ended his season, Priest Holmes says he is "definitely 100 percent" planning to be back for 2005.
"In terms of next year, I'm excited because of the fact that it gives me an opportunity to heal up and start preparing for the 2005 season," Kansas City's running back said yesterday, a day after the Chiefs put him on injured reserve.
"There are a lot of things we need to do. We left a lot of things on the table this year," Holmes said. "We're still playing, we're still in it in terms of winning some games and making sure we end the season the right way."
Holmes, 31, was leading the NFL in rushing and scoring when he strained ligaments in his right knee at Tampa Bay on Nov. 7.
At first he thought he would be able to get back this year. But healing was slow, and since the Chiefs (4-8) are out of the playoff hunt, it was decided to shut him down for the rest of the season.
• TITANS: Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair sat out another practice with a bruised sternum, and didn't try to throw even though Coach Jeff Fisher said the injury is healing.
The Titans aren't eager to push him to throw either, although Fisher said McNair can if need be.
"We just don't want to aggravate it," Fisher said.
Backup Billy Volek once again took all the work with the first-team offense, and seems poised for his fifth start this season.
