Chiefs DB Eric Berry continues comeback from cancer, ready to play vs. Cardinals

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Eric Berry's comeback from Hodgkin lymphoma should hit another milestone Saturday night as coach Andy Reid said the plan was for the defensive back to play in the Kansas City Chiefs' preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

"We're thinking he's going to play," Reid said. "We'll just see how things go from here. But he's been going here, so I think he's ready to get out here and do his thing."

Berry was diagnosed in November but has made a dramatic recovery. He was declared cancer-free by his doctors in June and was cleared to play by the Chiefs shortly before the start of training camp.

The Chiefs held Berry from contact in the early portions of camp but have since lifted those restrictions. The level of his play has picked up, and he has had a number of interceptions in recent practice sessions.

"I told him I saw too much of him today because he had a couple of interceptions out here," said Reid, who calls the Chiefs' offensive plays. "Listen, I'm as happy as I can be for him. He's like a little kid out here playing. He's having fun. He's appreciative of everything and everybody that has been with him through this whole ordeal.

"He's loving life right now, and that's important. It shows on the field here, too."

Berry has been playing with the second team behind starting safeties Husain Abdullah and Ron Parker. But he does enter the game with the starters in passing situations.

"I think it's going to be very exciting not just for him but for us to have a guy like that behind you," said linebacker Justin Houston, one of Berry's best friends on the Chiefs. "Just knowing he's going to come and play hard, it's great to have him back.

"It's taking him awhile to get his timing down but I think he's almost back to normal with his timing. He's been making plays, getting interceptions, so I think he's back."