KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- NFL rushing leader Priest Holmes has a right hip injury and probably will not play against San Diego this Sunday.

Holmes was injured in the third quarter of the Chiefs' 31-24 loss at Denver on Sunday. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam Monday, and the results will not be known until Tuesday.

Coach Dick Vermeil said he believed the injury is to the muscle.

"I'd say he's very doubtful for this game,'' Vermeil said. "Very doubtful.''

The six-year veteran is having another stellar season even thought the Chiefs (7-7) are on the verge of playoff elimination. With two games to go in the regular season, Holmes' 24 touchdowns are just two short of the NFL record held by Marshall Faulk.

Holmes, the 2001 NFL rushing champion, also leads the NFL with 2,287 yards from scrimmage, putting him within range of Faulk's NFL record of 2,429.

Holmes left the game when he was dragged down awkwardly from behind by Denver's Tyrone Poole at the end of a 56-yard run. He limped into the locker room and left the stadium on crutches.

He finished the game with 161 yards on the ground, which nudged him back ahead of Miami's Ricky Williams for the NFL rushing lead, 1,615 yards to 1,601.

Vermeil said Holmes initially was injured on a run prior to the 56-yarder.

"That's probably why he was caught from behind and why it aggravated to the point he couldn't go any more,'' Vermeil said. "He just came out of the game and said, 'I'm going in the locker room. I'm hurt. I can't play anymore.'''