In a rather surprising development, Kansas City halfback Priest Holmes, after spending nearly two full years away from football to recover from a spinal injury, is preparing a comeback attempt.

The story, first reported by Kansas City radio station 610 Sports and NFL Network insider Adam Schefter has now been confirmed by the Chiefs: The 33-year-old Holmes has been given medical clearance to play and he is planning to participate in this summer's training camp.

Holmes informed general manager Carl Peterson of his decision on Wednesday.

"For myself, I think without question by what Priest Holmes has contributed to this franchise, he deserves the right and opportunity to play again for the Chiefs," Peterson said in a release. "He wants to do that and we’re going to afford him that opportunity."

Holmes has three years remaining on his contract and is expected to earn $870,000 in 2007.

The decision has apparently been in the works for a while. Today's news comes three weeks after a former Chiefs player told Warpaint Illustrated publisher Nick Athan that Holmes wanted to continue playing, and there was a chance he'd make another run in Kansas City.

According to Schefter, running backs Michael Bennett and Larry Johnson, to name two players, were already aware of Holmes' plans. Holmes' agent, Todd France, declined comment.

While a return after such a lengthy layoff seems unlikely, Schefter correctly points out that Holmes repeatedly has defied odds throughout his career, whether it was going from an undrafted free agent to a Pro Bowl running back, or coming back from other injuries that others thought he might not be able to overcome.

Peterson addressed that aspect in today's release.

"From a personal standpoint, certainly I have said many times that I would never count this player out like so many did after his hip surgery," the GM said. "[Holmes is] a very unique human being, a very unique talent and I think he will prove some people wrong again. We are going to take it slow to gauge and monitor where he is every day, but there’s no question that if Priest Holmes is close to what he was before his injury, he'll make a significant impact on the offensive side of the football."

The addition of Holmes obviously changes contract discussion with Alvin Keels, Johnson's agent -- even if, as Athan suggests, Holmes doesn't really fit into head coach Herman Edwards' long-range plan.

Indeed, those with a cynical streak as wide as mine might question the timing of this development. Is it possible that Holmes' comeback attempt is something not only welcomed but even encouraged (and taking the final step, even orchestrated) by Peterson for the very reason of pressuring Johnson?

After all, Johnson and the Chiefs are at least $14 million apart in guaranteed money. That total might even be as high as $17 million. Each side appears to be entrenched in its stance, and Johnson intends to skip camp until he has a new contract.

I can tell you without a doubt -- based on my FF Pro Forecast interview with Johnson last year -- that LJ wasn't exactly what you'd call a Holmes fan before this development. I suspect he's even less so now.

According to Athan, trade talks with the Green Bay Packers could intensify over the next week. Athan added: "The Chiefs will not give Johnson a contract in the ballpark of the one LaDainian Tomlinson received, under any circumstances."

Athan went on to explain the Chiefs learned a valuable lesson with Holmes and fear that one solid hit could detour Johnson's career path, as was the case with Holmes. The money Johnson seeks is much greater than what Holmes received in 2003 -- a $10.5 million signing bonus. Johnson wants nearly $25 million in guaranteed money, and that's a price the Chiefs simply won't pay.

Looking at the best possible outcome -- that being both Johnson and Holmes are healthy, happy and in uniform on game days -- the Chiefs would have a higher degree of security at the running back position. They still would not know whether Holmes would be able to make it to and through the season, but they would have a back that has produced like few others in NFL history.

And while reports earlier this year hinted he wasn't taking a very diligent approach to off-season conditioning, assuming that Holmes could re-emerge as an effective third-down and change-of-pace back isn't a tremendous reach.

That said, I'll remind you that Holmes' last game was against the San Diego Chargers in October of 2005, when a hit from Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman left him with severe head and neck trauma.

As Profootballtalk.com and AOL Fanhouse contributor Michael David Smith summed up the story this morning: "The combination of the severity of the injury and Holmes' age led most people to conclude that it would end his career. But that conclusion may have been premature."

Needless to say, I'll be keeping a close eye on this story in coming days. The Chiefs report to camp on Friday and we'll certainly know more then.

As always, I'll recommend keeping an eye on the News & Views section of this site for late-breaking news and other tidbits of interest. Watch the Headline News section for more in-depth reviews of current events -- like this story.