On Thursday night Kansas City Chiefs have defeated New England Patriots in NFL 2017 season opener. This historic 42-27 win may have come with a hefty price. Safety Eric Berry suffered left Achilles tendon rapture and will be out for the reminder of the season. The injury happened in the fourth quarter of the game against Patriots, while Berry covered Rob Gronkowski. This was confirmed by Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid on a press call on Friday.
“You’re not going to replace Eric Berry with another Eric Berry. That’s not what happens. But the guys know that Eric would be disappointed if they left off the accelerator at all. I think we’ll be OK there.“- said Reid via ESPN.
Berry previously had ACL tear in his left knee in 2011, which caused him to miss out most of the season. At the beginning of 2014 season, he suffered a high ankle sprain which caused Berry to pause until Week 8. In September of the same year, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, undergoing chemotherapy in the offseason. He returned for 2015 in time, being cancer free, and played 16 games. In 2016 he had presumably the best season in his career and was a big contributor to 12-4 record of Kansas City Chiefs. His performances in 2016 made him the highest paid safety in the league when he signed six-year, $78 million deal with $40 million guaranteed.
Berry played college football for Tennessee Volunteers, being highest scouted safety since Sean Taylor. He was projected as the 7th pick of the first round in 2010 NFL Draft but Kansas City Chiefs ended up drafting Berry as a fifth overall pick. During his NFL career, Berry had 434 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 14 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 50 pass deflections, and 5 defensive touchdowns. His honors and achievements include 5 Pro Bowl appearances, 3 times first-team All-Pro and NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
