Berry Is Practicing But Will He Play?

Eric Berry is back on the practice field and testing out his high ankle sprain. This is welcome news for Chiefs fans but it should be received with caution. Just because Berry is practicing it does not mean he will be playing.

Berry has been out of the lineup since spraining his ankle in week two against the Denver Broncos. Since then he has not participated in a single practice and has been taking the time to heal both his ankle — a high ankle sprain typically takes several weeks — and his nagging heel injury. The result is that Berry hasn’t seen a football field for a month and that may mean he sits out one more game before returning.

Keep in mind the Chiefs took their time with De’Anthony Thomas as he recovered from his hamstring injury. Thomas was limited in practice for a week and then sat out the Monday night game against the New England Patriots before Andy Reid allowed him to practice in full and then appear in a game. That may be the same path Berry takes.

The key difference here is that Berry is a veteran who has been to multiple Pro Bowls. There is a chance his experience allows him to take a quicker route to the playing field than the rookie Thomas had to travel.

No matter what, the Chiefs are going to do what is best for best for Berry and roll with the best available healthy players they have on the roster.

Pray for Berry to play on Sunday, but don’t count on it as a lock that he will be active in San Diego.