The wait for Michael Bennett continues at training camp.

The newest Chiefs running back has yet to practice because of a sore hamstring, may not start up until next week and won't play in Saturday's preseason opener at Houston.

The Chiefs aren't getting impatient. Bennett may only be the backup to Larry Johnson, but they believe he will be worth the wait.

Bennett gives the Chiefs something none of their other backs -- Johnson included -- can.

'He can help us with the speed dimension,' offensive coordinator Mike Solari said. 'Michael is an extra tool for us. He's going to help with our passing game and our ability to attack the perimeter.'

The Chiefs haven't had a back with Bennett's breakaway speed in years. He has the longest (85 yards) and the third-longest (78 yards) runs in Vikings history. He has the longest pass catch by a Minnesota running back (80 yards).

Even with their new emphasis on ball control, the Chiefs wouldn't mind Bennett setting a few of their records like that.

'We all have our different running styles,' Bennett said. 'I'm more of the speed guy. You have Larry, the big, powerful, strong runner. You have some speed in (McKenzi) Smith, (Derrick) Ross and also Dee Brown. We've got a lot of backs with a lot of different things they can do.

'There are definitely things I can do as far as running the ball, receiving the ball. It's all about the opportunity.'

With Bennett, it's always about the opportunity. In his first two NFL seasons with the Vikings, Bennett led Minnesota in rushing.

In 2002, he gained almost 1,300 yards and made the Pro Bowl. But injuries then set him back, he never again was a full-time player and his contributions shrank.

With the Chiefs, unless Johnson can't play, there once again will only be so much work for Bennett.

'It's a matter of plays,' coach Herm Edwards said. 'We've got a lot of talented guys on offense. There's no doubt about it.

'He's going to have to learn our offense. It's a big playbook.'

At least with the Chiefs, there's only Johnson in the way. With New Orleans, where Bennett signed as a free agent in March, the way was blocked by not only rookie Reggie Bush, but also veteran Deuce McAllister.

Even though he will play only when the Chiefs feel a need to preserve Johnson, Bennett should play more with the Chiefs than he would have with the Saints.

'Coach Edwards said he wants to run the ball over 500 times this year,' Bennett said. 'It's never been done in the history of football that a guy carried the ball 500 times. If I can just come in and be the relief pitcher for Larry and put up some numbers on top of that, I'll be happy.

'The playbook is probably about a mile thick. I'm really just trying to dig into that every night and get the system down and show them I know what I'm doing so they can put me out on the field.'

The Chiefs didn't expect Priest Holmes to carry their offense when he joined them five years ago, but everything eventually worked out for him.

Bennett's time with the Chiefs might not be as productive, but the similarities between the two are undeniable. They are almost of the identical size: Bennett is 5-feet-9 and 207 pounds, Holmes is 5-9 and 213.

Their careers at the time they joined the Chiefs are also alike. Bennett, in five seasons with Minnesota, had one 1,000-yard season and others either interrupted by injuries or spent as a backup. Holmes, in four seasons with Baltimore, had one 1,000-yard season and others either ruined by injuries or spent as a backup.

One difference: Holmes doesn't have Bennett's speed.

'He's different than all the guys we have,' Edwards said. 'He's a speed guy. He can break a big run. We're going to have to put a package in for him when Larry needs a blow.'

But not for the next few days, at least.

'We're going to baby him,' Edwards said. 'We don't want the guy to come out here and tear his hamstring up. Then we've got a problem.'