Andy Reid: Hobbled Chiefs HC Gives Updates On Eric Berry, Alex Smith And Derrick Johnson
By Brett Gering
When Andy Reid addressed media at the NFL combine on Wednesday, he wasn’t alone.
The hobbled Kansas City Chiefs head coach walked to the podium with the help of a cane, eventually disclosing that he had recently undergone knee-replacement surgery, as The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Jeff McLane notes:
Andy Reid needs a cane to take the podium at the NFL combine. Jokes, "Well, we have only one injury to talk about."
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) February 18, 2015
Andy Reid said he had a knee replaced. Hence the cane.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) February 18, 2015
With several on-field and, more recently, off-field storylines surrounding the Chiefs, Reid found himself dispensing updates by the minute.
KCChiefs.com’s Pete Sweeney mentioned that when asked about Alex Smith’s recovery (lacerated spleen) and Eric Berry’s ongoing battle with lymphoma, the head coach offered some reassuring news:
Coach Andy Reid said that QB Alex Smith’s recovery is going well and S Eric Berry is “in good spirits.”
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) February 18, 2015
Per The Kansas City Star‘s Terez Paylor, he added:
Reid says he's recently spoken to Eric Berry. Is in good spirits and battling. "He's a stud...special place in my heart for a guy like that.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) February 18, 2015
Revisiting the injury front, the head coach was also questioned about the progress of Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito.
According to Reid, the two—who both fell victim to season-ending Achilles tears on opening day—are working out together, noting:
Reid joked that Mike DeVito and Derrick Johnson “may be in the best shape of their lives right now.”
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) February 18, 2015
Overall, it sounds like the players are progressing as planned. And sooner rather than later, their coach is bound to be doing the same.
As The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Zach Berman reminds us, he’s no stranger to setbacks:
Todd Bowles said he learned more from Andy Reid going through adversity in Philly in 2012 in one year than anyone else in his career.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 18, 2015
Next: 2015 NFL Combine: Dates, Times And TV Listings