Posted on Wed, Nov. 08, 2006Holmes decision not due for 3 weeksVerdict on running back and DB Bartee can come as late as Nov. 28.By RANDY COVITZThe Kansas City StarThe Chiefs haven’t given up on running back Priest Holmes yet.The Chiefs on Tuesday started the three-week clock on Holmes and defensive back William Bartee, who began the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list.The Chiefs have until 3 p.m. Nov. 28 to designate the players’ statuses for the regular season. They could retain the players on the physically-unable-to-perform list, activate them or waive them. Neither player has to participate in a practice to be activated by Nov. 28, said Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson.Holmes, 33, has been inactive since suffering head and neck trauma against San Diego on Oct. 30, 2005. He did not participate in training camp and has remained at his home in San Antonio this season. He has undergone examinations by medical specialists in the hopes of being activated before the end of this season.“I mentioned at the beginning of the season we were going to keep this window open as long as possible,” said Peterson. “If we can keep this window open through 12 weeks, we’re benefited by that.”Peterson said Holmes, the club’s all-time leader in rushing, touchdowns and yards from scrimmage, has indicated that he still wants to play, even though three of his last four seasons ended prematurely because of injuries.“Priest is working out,” Peterson said. “He’s had his latest medical exam. He’s making progress. We might give him another one in a week or two. But he does not have to be here to remain on PUP for the next three weeks. He doesn’t want to be here and take away anything from this football team. He knows if he’s here, he’s creating a problem in regard to media attention and so forth.“He is the ghost. He is difficult to tackle on the football field and off the field. He doesn’t want to be here, and we’re in full agreement.”
