Former Vol and current Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry has been cleared to return to the practice field after an eight-month battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the Chiefs confirmed on Tuesday night.
He’ll take the practice field with the club for Wednesday morning’s practice with quarterbacks, rookies and injured players. Head coach Andy Reid and head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder will address Berry’s medical and football timeline post practice on Wednesday. Berry will also hold a press conference on the campus of Missouri Western State University on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET.
Berry, 26, is a three-time Pro Bowler who has been selected following every full season that he’s played. His 2014 campaign was cut short following the diagnosis, but he had his best season in 2013, recording 74 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and scoring two defensive touchdowns.
A native of Fairburn, Ga., Berry started 39 games for the Vols in three years (2007-09), was named a two-time All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award as a junior in 2009. He finished his UT career with 245 tackles, 14 interceptions and four forced fumbles.
Berry’s younger twin brothers, linebacker Elliott Berry and safety Evan Berry, are currently sophomores for the Vols.
