with injuries limiting holmes during the previous two seasons, johnson began the 2006 season as kansas city's featured back. he rushed for 1,789 yards (second in the league) on 416 carries, an nfl record for most carries in a season. in an october 15 game against the pittsburgh steelers, johnson pulled strong safety troy polamalu down by the hair in order to tackle him. although tackling a player by his hair is legal and does not alone constitute unnecessary roughness, johnson was penalized for rising to his feet while retaining grasp of polamalu's hair (pulling him up in the process). the chiefs made an appearance in the playoffs with a 9–7 record, where johnson ran for 32 yards on 13 carries against the indianapolis colts. at the conclusion of the season, johnson was selected for his second pro bowl appearance.