Kansas City, Mo. ? The Kansas City Chiefs placed former Pro Bowl running back Priest Holmes on the reserve/non-football injury list Saturday, guaranteeing that his absence from the game will stretch to almost two years.

After their first six games, the Chiefs will have a three-week window to activate the franchise career rushing leader.

The Chiefs also cut 20 other players – including Kansas University product Nick Reid – to trim their roster to 53 by Saturday’s deadline. The list included Casey Printers, a former Canadian Football League star who had been projected as the third quarterback.

Holmes, 33, hasn’t played since Oct. 30, 2005, when a hit from San Diego’s Shawne Merriman aggravated a potentially dangerous spinal condition. The three-time Pro Bowler spent last season at home in Texas.

By then, though, Larry Johnson was already Kansas City’s new star, carrying for 1,750 yards, in only nine starts, in 2005 and then rushing for 1,789 yards on an NFL-record 416 carries last year.

In each of those years, he broke club single-season rushing records.

Holmes caused a sensation when he unexpectedly reported at the beginning of training camp, saying he saw himself in a dream playing football and hoped to provide leadership.

The Chiefs also released wide receivers Brad Ekwerekwu, Chris Hannon and Ean Randolph; safety Marlon Fair; defensive tackles Kiki Gonzalez and Patrice Majondo-Mwamba; fullback Gilbert Harris; defensive ends Michael Heard and Montez Murphy; guards Rob Hunt and Tre Stallings; tackle James Newby; running back Marcus O’Keith; cornerbacks Justin Phinisee and Will Poole; linebackers Reid and Rich Scanlon; quarterback Jeff Terrell; and tight end Keith Willis.