Sportsline

NFL

Chiefs’ Holmes ruled out

Kansas City, Mo. — Priest Holmes is out for Kansas City’s regular-season finale against Oakland on Saturday.

Holmes, who is just two touchdowns away from the NFL single-season record of 26, injured his hip at Denver on Dec. 15. He missed last week’s game against San Diego.

The 2001 NFL rushing champion, seen above during a game against Miami on Sept. 29,. was leading the league with a team-record 1,615 yards rushing when he was hurt at Denver. Holmes’ 2,287 yards from scrimmage this year is just 142 shy of the NFL record.

“He had been optimistic about playing this week, but he will not play,” coach Dick Vermeil said Wednesday.

Basketball

Coach lauds Thomas

Greenville, S.C. — When is the NBA going to give former Kansas University three-point bomber Billy Thomas a shot?

Good question, says Greenville (S.C.) Groove coach Tree Rollins, who made a plea for a team to pick up the 27-year-old Thomas after the 6-foot-5 shooting guard scored 18 points in last Sunday’s National Basketball Developmental League victory over Columbus, Ohio.

“This is the second time that we have been on ESPN2, and I hope somebody sees how good Billy Thomas is,” Rollins told the Greenville News. “He is a special player, and I think he is ready to play in the A league. He does everything for us, and is a good leader. I know that we have scouts in the stands every night, and I hope that some NBA team takes a chance on him soon.”

Thomas ranks 12th in the NBDL in scoring at 14.4 points a game through 16 games. He is a 41.4 percent shooter, banging in 23 of 69 threes for 33.3 percent.

Major league soccer

Wizards courting Moore

Liverpool, England — Joe-Max Moore could be on his way back to Major League Soccer with the Kansas City Wizards. Moore’s work visa in England expired, and the 31-year-old American forward can no longer play for Everton of the Premier League.

“Joe-Max Moore is someone who we are interested in,” Wizards general manager Curt Johnson said.

Moore has 24 goals in 100 appearances for the U.S. team, second behind Eric Wynalda’s record 32 goals.