FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The celebration of the Chiefs 42-27 win over New England was nearly underway when an injury to one of the team’s biggest defensive stars put a damper on the biggest night for Kansas City football in years.
Safety Eric Berry went to the turf with just under 5 minutes remaining in the game and the Chiefs up 35-27. Linebacker Justin Houston sacked Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, putting the Chiefs in the driver’s seat.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry helps make a stop on a big fourth-down play during the team’s 42-27 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 7, 2017. (Photo courtesy Chiefs PR, Chiefs.com)
But an Achilles tendon tear for Berry would almost certainly end the Pro Bowler’s season before it barely started.
“We will find out more after the MRI and that whole deal,” head coach Andy Reid said after the game.
Berry refused to let his injury dampen the spirit of his teammate’s Reid said.
“I told him that he could get started on his coaching career now,” Reid said. “If it works out where he can’t play, then we will get him right there and he can help out. He will still be a big part.”
The gloom and doom talk makes Berry’s season appear over but the Chiefs want to wait until the All-Pro safety finishes his medical tests.
The potential loss of Berry delivers a blow to one of the deepest position group’s on the team. The Chiefs played much of the game against New England with dime secondary looks playing Berry, Ron Parker and Daniel Sorensen on the field at the same time.
If Berry is knocked from the lineup, that likely moves Sorensen into the starting lineup and creates more playing opportunities for Eric Murray. It also might lead to sixth-round draft pick Leon McQuay’s promotion from the practice squad.
Berry signed a six-year, $78 million contract in the offseason.
Linebacker Derrick Johnson, who made a triumphant return from his second Achilles tendon rupture in Thursday night’s season opener, said he’s thinking of his teammate.
“I don’t know what’s going on diagnosis-wise with E.B., but I’m praying for him,” Johnson said. “He’s one of the best leaders on the team.”
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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