LJWorld.com

River Falls, Wis. — Larry Johnson still is a holdout, and Priest Holmes still is a question mark.

That makes Michael Bennett the Kansas City Chiefs' first-string running back, for now.

"Michael's had a good camp," coach Herm Edwards said as the team wrapped up training camp Tuesday. "He came into camp with the mindset of wanting to be a part of the offense this year, whether Larry Johnson was here or not. And he needs to be a part of this offense. That's why we brought him in."

General manager Carl Peterson on Monday played down reports that the team and Johnson were close to working out a contract extension.

But even if Johnson does come back soon, and even with rookie Kolby Smith having an impressive camp, Bennett figures to be a significant part of the offense this season.

Johnson set an NFL record with 416 carries last year and rushed for 1,789 yards, breaking the team's single-season record for the second year in a row. Edwards would like to lighten that load a bit.

"Like I said before, the goal is always to run for more than 2,000 yards in a season," Edwards said. "If you had your way and run the ball for at least 2,000 yards, you're going to run the ball 500 times. Obviously your lead back is going to get 250 or maybe 300 carries, so that's how you look at it."

That would leave 200 - or more - carries for someone else.

"I'd be excited to do it, to run behind a great offensive line like this," Bennett said. "They've blocked for 1,000-yard rushers for I don't know how many years in a row now. It's a great system, a great balance on offense, and I'm going to take advantage of it."

Bennett, 29, was limited to 11 games last year with hamstring and ankle injuries. He gained 200 yards on 36 carries in 2006, his first season with the Chiefs.

His best year came with the Minnesota Vikings in 2002, when he ran for 1,296 yards and five touchdowns and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl.

"Michael Bennett's been a starter in this league," Edwards said. "It's not like he's a guy who has never started or played well in this league. He's pretty good. He's been to the Pro Bowl and rushed for 1,000 yards. So he's been in that role."

Holmes is trying to make a comeback at age 33 - and having not played in a game since October 2005, when a hit from San Diego's Shawne Merriman aggravated a potentially dangerous spinal condition.

He has been working out individually during training camp, but Edwards said he expects that Holmes will play in the Chiefs' last exhibition game Aug. 30 against St. Louis.

"He has to find out," Edwards said. "We all have to find out. I know he's been getting himself into good condition, so now it's a matter of getting him into the game."

In the meantime, Bennett is looking to make the most of his chance.

"I just have to take advantage of the opportunity while it's here," he said. "I'm not one of those guys who reads too much into what people are saying in the media. I just want to show up on Sunday and do the best job I can."