Sports

Eric Berry’s Prolonged Absence Being Felt By Chiefs

September 13, 2018 | Sports,

–Nick Caitlin
Three time first-team all-pro safety Eric Berry has been sidelined since Aug. 11 with a sore heel. The injury has been disclosed as day-to-day, despite not participating in practice for over a month. There doesn’t appear to be any time table for his return, other than the coveted ‘day-to-day’ phrase that head coach Andy Reid has coined since being asked about Berry’s health.  

Berry’s had his fair share of injuries since being drafted fifth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Sustaining a torn ACL in the season-opener of the 2011 season, a high-ankle sprain sidelined him for six weeks prior to being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and in the season-opener against the defending super bowl champion New England Patriots, Eric Berry ruptured his Achilles.  
The Chiefs’ secondary could have used Berry week 1 when they gave up 424 passing yards, against the divisional rival Los Angeles Chargers, even despite the multiply dropped passes throughout key moments in the game. The Chargers did accumulate 541 total yards which was the most in the league. 
Regardless of Berry’s absence, the last two years the Chiefs have combined to go 22-10, to make the playoffs both years. The playoff record however is the concerning issue, losing their first playoff game consecutively leaves a bad taste for Chiefs Kingdom. 
This prompted the team to move on from quarterback Alex Smith and put their faith in first-round draft pick Patrick Mahomes. Whether that is the right decision appears to be unseen and won’t be answered for a while. 
Despite the injuries and illnesses, Berry has still made sure his presence is felt being on the sideline with constant attentiveness and communication. 
Week two doesn’t look to be the return of Berry, but the Chiefs have proven they can survive and win without him throughout the regular season, prompting him to heal and make sure he is ready to go when the time is right.