Oakland, Calif. ? Priest Holmes completed his improbable comeback Sunday, returning to the Kansas City Chiefs’ lineup nearly two years after a serious neck injury threatened the three-time Pro Bowl running back’s career.

Holmes played for the first time since Oct. 30, 2005, in the Chiefs’ 12-10 road victory over the rival Oakland Raiders. Though he managed just nine yards on four carries, his pain-free performance suggested the former star’s comeback story has additional chapters.

“I’m excited,” said Holmes, the Chiefs’ career franchise leader in yards rushing and touchdowns. “There wasn’t really much I did, other than when I was called on, I did a couple of little things. It wasn’t anything new. At the end of the day, this is work.”

Holmes was thrown for a six-yard loss after catching a screen pass on his first snap. In the fourth quarter, he had three carries during Kansas City’s important clock-killing drive in the final minutes, including an eight-yard run for a first down.

“For a guy that hadn’t played in a long time, he did a good job,” coach Herm Edwards said. “He got through it, and now he’ll be more involved in it.”

Even that six-yard loss on the first pass 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 enjoyed a sublime 41â2-year stretch with the Chiefs from 2001-05, rushing for 5,933 yards and 76 TDs. His 83 total TDs also are a franchise best.

Holmes hadn’t played since a vicious hit from San Diego’s Shawne Merriman caused the neck injury.

Now, it’s possible Holmes might be ready to provide a third-down counterpoint to Larry Johnson in an offense that has relied heavily on Holmes’ heir since his injury.

“It’s just part of my job, (and) I’ll come in here and do it very humbly,” Holmes said. “If I get one, two, three carries, I’ll do whatever I need to do. I’ve still got a long ways to go.”

After watching the Chiefs’ first two series on the sideline, Holmes entered the game 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.

“I was excited just to get that first hit out of the way,” Holmes said. “Then they didn’t really get the opportunity to use me again until the fourth quarter. When you’re the third-down back, you only get so many opportunities, because you want your first guy feeling good.”

Holmes carried the ball for no gain late in the third quarter, but made two key runs for 11 yards late in the fourth. His biggest contribution was his first-down run around the left end with three minutes left.