Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis; Chiefs coach Andy Reid speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
INDIANAPOLIS – Chiefs coach Andy Reid entered the media room at the NFL Scouting Combine using a cane to help him walk.
A noticeably slimmer Reid gingerly made his way up the short steps to take his place behind the podium before addressing the media at Lucas Oil Stadium.
But Reid appeared in good spirits, which he proved with his opening remark.
“All right, so we only have one injury to talk about,” Reid said with a grin to a room of laughter.
So how did he get hurt?
“I had a little surgery done,” Reid explained. “I had a knee replacement.”
Reid said the procedure prevented him from attending the Senior Bowl in January, adding his recovery won’t keep him away from duties leading to the regular season.
“I’ll be ready to go,” he said. “I won’t be starting on PUP.”
Reid fielded a variety of questions from the assembled media, but gave a variety of updates specific to the Chiefs, including the status of strong safety Eric Berry.
Reid said he recently shared text messages with Berry, who is currently undergoing treatment for lymphoma.
“He’s doing well,” Reid said. “Definitely headed in the right direction as far as the actual medical part goes. His spirit is strong. He’s a stud every way you look at it. I mean, anybody that’s got to fight that, they’ve got a special place in my heart for sure.”
The news also appears good for linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive lineman Mike DeVito, both of whom suffered ruptured Achilles tendons in the season opener.
Reid said both players are also “doing well” after working out with each other.
“The neat thing to watch is they work out together and challenge each other,” Reid said. “They are rehabbing together so they push each other. Both of them might be in the best shape of their lives right now.”
Other players of note Reid sounded optimistic about are quarterback Alex Smith, who missed the final regular season game with a lacerated spleen, and tackle/guard Jeff Allen, who landed on injured reserve after Week 1 with an elbow injury.
Reid said Smith and Allen are “doing well.”
The Chiefs head coach then took a moment to address the team’s decision on Tuesday to part with wide receivers Donnie Avery and A.J. Jenkins.
“I appreciate both of those guys, Donnie and A.J.,” Reid said. “Two different situations, one guy is a little bit younger than the other guy and Donnie has had a lot of good years in the National Football League. Hopefully he continues to have good years. I’ m pulling for him. A.J.’s just learning. He’ll continue to do that and hopefully hooks on with someone and has that opportunity.”
