RIVER FALLS, Wis. (AP) -If it keeps raining in Wisconsin, the Kansas City Chiefs may head for Minnesota.
Heavy rain forced the Chiefs to cancel their morning practice Wednesday for the second day in a row. The grounds at their practice field in River Falls were dry enough for a brisk afternoon workout. But if they hadn't been, the Chiefs were ready to make the 45-minute trip to the indoor facility at the University of Minnesota.
``We have the ability to go to the University of Minnesota if we have to go inside,'' coach Herm Edwards said. ``We were going there today if the turf was too wet (for the afternoon practice). I don't foresee us missing a whole lot more.''
While newly acquired running back Michael Bennett went through his physical Wednesday, the Chiefs raced through their afternoon workout, working to make up time lost to the weather.
Bennett, who will play behind Larry Johnson, was acquired in a trade with New Orleans. He'll suit up for the first time on Thursday.
``He's a good football player,'' Edwards said. ``Very, very explosive player. He can make big plays. It gives us more depth at running back. With the Priest situation still in the air a little bit, it was a good signing for us.''
President and general manager Carl Peterson said Bennett's signing did not mean that Priest Holmes, the Chiefs' three-time Pro Bowl running back, had decided to retire after missing nine games last season with a spinal injury.
Holmes, holder of many Chiefs City rushing and touchdown records, is being held out of contact by doctors because of a neck and spinal cord injury he sustained in a game last October at San Diego. He is home in San Antonio waiting clearance from doctors.
``This is not an indication that Priest is not coming back,'' Peterson said.
Holmes was placed on the physically unable to perform list before the opening of training camp and will likely remain there for the foreseeable future.
``He's comfortable with that and we're comfortable with that,'' Peterson said. ``We'll continue to monitor his physical well being. I've had conversations with him. But the doctors have still not given him a release to have contact.''
Bennett was acquired for an undisclosed choice in the 2007 draft. He was signed as a free agent with New Orleans in March, after appearing in 64 games with Minnesota. His best year was 2002 when he had 1,296 yards on 255 carries, the second-best year in Minnesota history.
``We've created more competition at the position and we got a good football player,'' Edwards said.
In the meantime, defensive tackle Lionel Dalton left practice early with a knee problem.
``I think he strained his knee,'' said Edwards. ``They took him for X-rays. We'll find out more.''
Edwards said the Chiefs did not waste their morning.
``We took advantage of it. We met in a classroom, and sometimes that's just as good as practicing,'' he said. ``We walked through some things. As long as they understand when that happens you can't lose a whole day.''
Peterson also said he still holds out hope that another key member of the offense - left tackle Willie Roaf - will change his mind and not retire.
Roaf, an 11-time Pro Bowl player, surprised the Chiefs before training camp when he said he was ending his 14-year career. He had been saying that he planned to play one more year.
``I've heard from Willie Roaf through his agent,'' Peterson said. ``Frankly, we'll be meeting with his agent this week. At this particular time, we have not put Willie Roaf on reserved-retired. I'm not going to do that. We want to give Willie a lot of time to think about this decision.
``People do change their minds.''
Kyle Turley, a former Pro Bowl right tackle who is attempting a comeback after being shelved for two years with a back injury, has been running first team left tackle.
Peterson said he had not been able to contact Roaf, and apparently neither have players.
``I've sent him text messages and left messages and that sort of thing and haven't heard back, but there are a number of guys who haven't heard back,'' quarterback Trent Green said.
``I don't know if he's just trying to avoid us to make a decision on his own and he doesn't want that extra influence, but we definitely want him back.''
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