In the midst of a very good personal game and a big victory over the New England Patriots, Chiefs safety Eric Berry went down with a non-contact injury. He was seen on the ground flexing and pointing at the back of his ankle. After further testing, it has been announced that Berry has torn his Achilles tendon and will miss the rest of the 2017 NFL season.
Eric Berry Tears Achilles in Win Against Patriots
Berry put together a strong performance in Thursday night’s season opener, making some crucial stops for the Chiefs. He is undoubtedly one of the team’s most valuable players and the heart and soul of Kansas City’s defense. He was a key defensive component in the 42-27 victory, however the win took a sour note when he went down with the injury.
A lost season for a player like Berry can be detrimental to the morale of the team and fans alike. He is a leader and highly valued presence both in the locker room and on the field and is one of the least expendable pieces on the Chiefs roster. The three-time All-Pro safety is a major game-changer for Kansas City, coming up with clutch interceptions, stops, and deflections that the average player just doesn’t. He is a special talent who the Chiefs will be hard-pressed to replace. In addition, Eric Berry is also a fan favorite and will be deeply missed by everyone watching the games.
Likely replacing for Berry the rest of the season will be fourth year player Daniel Sorensen, who will hope to fulfill the Chiefs “next man up” philosophy. The 27 year old Sorensen performed quite well last season, racking up 63 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. He will look to sustain his success as the starter and fill the big shoes vacated by Berry’s injury. If Sorensen can play at a decent level, this defense is still good enough for championship hopes to be alive and well.
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