KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs started another week – and a new month – without safety Eric Berry on the practice field, and head coach Andy Reid said when the veteran returns depends largely on Berry's input.
“Everybody works together so I don't want to just put it all on him,” Reid said during his Wednesday press conference. “The docs, they communicate, and that's the big thing. And in this case communication becomes important when you're dealing with that type of an injury.”
Berry missed his first workout with the sore heel on Aug. 12 and hasn't returned to practice field since then. It's the same heel that bothered Berry during training camp in 2017 but not the same Achilles tendon he ruptured in Week 1 last season.
Reid said he's waiting until “everything calms down on his Achilles area” until Berry returns to action. He emphasized that he trusts Berry to make the right decision for both his own sake and the team's benefit.
“We're just being cautious with it,” Reid said. “Long season, that's not where we're at, and we have full trust in him. He's always very honest with us, let's us know. We want him there for the long haul. We're trying to make sure everything is right there, and he's doing a great job of communicating with us.”
Linebacker Ben Niemann also sat out practice Wednesday. He suffered a strained hamstring during Sunday's win over the Chargers. The team has yet to disclose the severity of the injury or how long it may keep the rookie on the sideline.
Chiefs Injury Report
Did not practice: S Eric Berry (heel) and LB Ben Niemann (hamstring)
Full participants: CB Kendall Fuller (thumb), LB Reggie Knee (knee), DT Justin Hamilton (ankle) and RB Darrel Williams (shoulder)
Steelers Injury Report
Did not practice: QB Ben Roethlisberger (right elbow), G David DeCastro (hand), CB Joe Haden (hamstring), DT Cameron Heyward (knee) and Tyson Alualu (shoulder)
Full participants: TE Vance McDonalid (foot)
