It’s two pieces of good news that could have far-reaching ramifications in the AFC West and NFC West. Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry and St. Louis Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley have both passed physicals and are clear to participate in training camp. While this is tremendous news for the Rams and their highly-touted first-round pick out of the University of Georgia, for the Chiefs and Berry, it almost qualifies as a miracle.
Berry glad to be off the “roller coaster.”
Just eight months after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Eric Berry is back on the practice field with the Chiefs, making his first appearance Wednesday with his fellow veterans and rookies.
Last November, Berry, one of the best players in the league, noticed some pain his his chest. After a visit to the doctor and mass was found, then followed by the lymphoma diagnosis. Berry was done for the season, but he wasn’t done for good.
Chiefs S Eric Berry back on the field for the first time since being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma last December. pic.twitter.com/85OOKTuzYy
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 29, 2015
The former University of Tennessee star, still so popular among the fanbase that his No. 14 jersey is a consistent seller, chose to take his chemotherapy treatments through an IV so he could fit in workouts in between to stay in shape. He wanted to be back for the start of the 2015 NFL season. It looks like he made it.
“Everybody wants you to be strong in this situation,” Berry told CBS Sports, “But you can’t be strong every day. If you want to be mad today, be mad. If you want to be sad, be sad. But the thing is, don’t stay that way. Get it out of your system and go back to work.”
.@KCChiefs' Eric Berry cleared to practice today, 8 months after cancer diagnosis http://t.co/22rIxwSWxj #BerryStrong pic.twitter.com/t6wn7bxj9u
— GoVolsXtra (@GoVolsXtra) July 29, 2015
Berry was strong enough. While he’s been cleared to return to practice, the Chiefs will probably treat him with kid gloves for a while. Even with his workouts between cancer treatments, there’s no way he’s in football shape and will probably not be ready to take the field in any meaningful way until October. But Berry has beaten the odds before.
The boost for the Chiefs, not only for their chances in the competitive AFC West but for their team chemistry with Berry’s return is almost immeasurable.
“At the beginning, you kind of put football aside,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “Your mind goes to, `Hey, we’re hoping and praying he can be healthy and live a good life. Anything else is icing on the cake.”
Gurley opens camp in the Rams’ backfield
When the Rams drafted Gurley at No. 10 back in April no one though the pick was a mistake or a reach. The only question anyone had was when Gurley would see the field. It turns out, it may be Week One.
RB Todd Gurley passes his conditioning test with Rams Tuesday _ impressively we might add. Will begin camp on active roster.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) July 28, 2015
Almost nine months after tearing his ACL at Georgia, team doctors have cleared Gurley to participate in Rams’ training camp. The battle between Gurley and second-year running back Tre Mason will begin in earnest this week.
“Todd’s doing a great job with his rehab,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher told ESPN. “He’s very anxious. He’s probably a little frustrated, probably deep down inside not really happy right now, but he’s anxious to get out there right now, so that’s going well.”
Other players not so lucky
The PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list has filled up quick as training camps are slated to begin. No. 7 overall pick Kevin White, picked by the Chicago Bears will begin camp on the list for what is being reported as an “undisclosed injury.” White isn’t the only first-round receiver on the list. Miami Dolphin’s pick DeVante Parker will also begin his training camp there as expected after offseason foot surgery.
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Bufict still isn’t ready to practice after microfracture knee surgery in January. Houston Texans defensive end Jadaveon Clowney will have plenty of time to talk to the HBO Hard Knocks cameras as he will also begin camp on the PUP list.
Other names on the list include Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta, Bengals linebacker Sean Porter and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks and safety James Sample.
