Holmes puts end to comeback, retires

Priest Holmes retired Wednesday, ending a short comeback hailed as one of the most improbable in NFL history.

The 34-year-old three-time Pro Bowl running back said he experienced “symptoms” during Sunday’s game in Indianapolis similar to those he felt more than two years ago when head and neck injuries put him out of the game for 22 months.

He refused to be specific about what symptoms he felt.

“Much of that is, I guess you could say, in the past,” he said.

“Just to know the symptoms were similar to the ones before. But to be technical, to go into medical terms, I wouldn’t feel comfortable.”

Holmes is the Chiefs’ all-time rushing leader with 6,070 yards and accumulated 8,172 yards rushing in 11 seasons with Baltimore and Kansas City.

Shaun Alexander spent the day watching as his teammates practiced without him yet again.

So on Sunday, the 2005 league MVP will miss his third consecutive game when Seattle plays St. Louis (2-8). Coach Mike Holmgren has said Alexander would not return to a game until he practiced consecutively on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Carolina Coach John Fox said Vinny Testaverde has passed David Carr on the depth chart and is the No. 1 quarterback for the Panthers.

The Panthers signed Carr to a two-year, $6-million deal in the off-season to back up Jake Delhomme. Since Delhomme was lost to a season-ending elbow injury in Week 3, Carr has sustained two concussions and a back injury.

Oakland put right tackle Cornell Green on injured reserve because of an ankle injury. . . . Tennessee running back Chris Henry dropped his appeal and started serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. . . . Baltimore defensive end Trevor Pryce was put on injured reserve because of a torn pectoral muscle, putting him out for the final six games of the season. . . . Miami running back Ricky Williams participated in his first full day of practice, but his status for Monday’s game is still unclear. . . . Donovan McNabb did not practice because of ankle and thumb injuries, and it’s uncertain whether the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback will play for Philadelphia against New England on Sunday.