A yard-and-a-half.

That distance represents the statistical yards-per-carry difference between Larry Johnson circa 2005 and the current version.

“It’s not as easy as it was last year,” Kansas City Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said during his Tuesday press conference. “(Johnson’s) got a target on his back right now. When you’re playing with the backup quarterback, people are going to stack the box on you.”

Indeed despite Damon Huard’s 107.4 quarterback rating, which ranks second best in the NFL, defenses continue to play eight men on the line of scrimmage to stop Johnson. That said, the player who broke the Chiefs’ single-season rushing record in nine games last year has seen his rushing average dip from 5.2 in 2005 to 3.7 in 2006. On Sunday he rushed for just 35 yards on 16 carries.

Running room could be tough to find this week. The Pittsburgh Steelers allow 89 yard per game.

“There’s going to be some ugly running again,” Edwards said. “When you watch them play, they play very, very hard on defense and are very, very fast.”

The good news, however, is Edwards anticipates his star running back to practice this week despite an injury suffered Sunday.

“His neck is a little sore,” he said. “But he’s going to be fine.”

Johnson injured his neck with 2:31 left in the 23-20 victory against the Arizona Cardinals. Johnson caught a screen pass from Huard and rumbled 78 yards down the left sideline before cornerback Antrell Rolle grabbed his facemask, jerking Johnson’s neck as he tackled him to the turf.

Larry Johnson (27) stretches across the goal line for a touchdown. Johnson scored on a reception Sunday, when he managed only 36 rushing yards but 106 receiving yards.

Although Johnson has made nifty plays as a receiver while catching 20 passes for 268 yards, Chiefs officials want him to return to the form he showed last year while gaining 1,750 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground.

Injuries to other Chiefs offensive players have contributed to the Pro Bowl back’s slow start. The Chiefs traded for Michael Bennett during the offseason. The former sprinter offered a perfect complement to Johnson’s pounding running style and was supposed to spell him during games. But Edwards said Bennett, who has not played since injuring his hamstring after Week Two, is doubtful this week.

Left tackle Kyle Turley also has not played since Week Two. Out with an injured back, Turley could help carve out holes along the offensive line. Edwards deemed him questionable.

Priest Holmes, however, likely will not bolster the running game. He has not played since injuring his neck and head against the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 30, 2005, and the Chiefs placed him on the physically-unable-to-perform list this season. Under NFL rules teams can activate PUP players after Week Six.

With the decision looming, Edwards said he had not spoken to Holmes, but he advised against reading too much into their lack of conversation.

“I don’t know if it’s telling because I haven’t been around Priest a whole lot,” Edwards said. “They say he’s like Casper the friendly ghost. You never find him or see him. That’s just his way.”

The Chiefs’ offensive path will continue to follow Johnson, and they will need him against a hungry 1-3 Steelers squad this week.

“The trophy’s in their house,” Edwards said. “They’re Super Bowl champs, and until you beat them or they get the letter from the commissioner that says (they’re) not in the playoffs, you’ve got to look at them that way.”