Holmes, once a dynamic runner who became the franchise's career leader in yards rushing and touchdowns, played for the first time since Oct. 30, 2005, in the Chiefs' 12-10 road victory over the rival Oakland Raiders.

Holmes played sparingly, and was thrown for a 6-yard loss after catching a screen pass on his first snap, but he made bigger contributions in the fourth quarter. He got three of his four carries during Kansas City's important clock-killing drive in the final minutes, finishing with 9 yards rushing.

Even that early loss was a huge gain for a once-dominant 34-year-old back whose career was widely assumed to be finished. Most fans thought his next appearance at Arrowhead Stadium would be to see his name enshrined on the facade as a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame.

Holmes hadn't played since absorbing a vicious hit from San Diego's Shawne Merriman, causing the neck injury for a player already bedeviled by a knee injury and a previous hip problem.

Now, it looks as though Holmes might be ready to provide a counterpoint to Larry Johnson in a Kansas City offense that has relied heavily on Holmes' heir since his injury.

After watching the Chiefs' first two series while wearing his helmet on the sideline, Holmes entered the game at the Coliseum on the third play of Kansas City's third drive, shortly before the first quarter ended. He caught a screen pass from Damon Huard, but was buried by cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

Holmes carried the ball for no gain late in the third quarter, but made two key runs for 11 yards late in the fourth quarter as Kansas City burned time in a defense-dominated game.

His biggest contribution was an 8-yard run around the left end with 3 minutes left. Holmes even fell down before going out of bounds to keep the clock running — but that veteran play went unrewarded when the officials ruled him out anyway.

Even Chiefs coach Herm Edwards — who took over the club last season — figured Holmes' career was over when the veteran wasn't able to return for 2006, spending the season on the physically unable to perform list.

But Holmes surprised the Chiefs by reporting to training camp in River Falls, Wis., this summer, claiming he saw himself returning to action in a dream. His comeback was ridiculed by some fans and media members, with speculation he was risking his health for money.

After convincing the Chiefs that his comeback was worth continuing, the club placed Holmes back on the physically unable to perform list, keeping him out of full practices during camp and the first six weeks of the regular season.

Once Holmes returned to regular practice last Wednesday, the Chiefs had three weeks to evaluate him — but Edwards apparently saw what he needed to see.

The Chiefs even traded backup running back Michael Bennett to Tampa Bay for two draft picks earlier in the week, a move that cleared a roster spot to be filled by Holmes.

After signing as an unheralded free agent from Baltimore, Holmes enjoyed a sublime 4½-year stretch with the Chiefs from 2001-05, rushing for a club-record 5,933 yards and 76 TDs. His 83 total TDs also are a franchise best.

Kansas City apparently intends to use Holmes as a third-down back behind Johnson, who became one of the NFL's elite ball carriers during Holmes' absence. Johnson had 3,539 yards rushing over the past two seasons, carrying the Kansas City offense in Holmes' absence.