Eric Berry cleared for Chiefs' camp 8 months after lymphoma diagnosis

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Taking a huge step in a rapid and dramatic comeback, safety Eric Berry has been cleared medically to practice with the Kansas City Chiefs, about eight months after being diagnosed with lymphoma.

Berry will join Chiefs quarterbacks, rookies and players with recent injuries Wednesday for the start of a three-day minicamp at Missouri Western State University. The Chiefs begin full-squad training camp Saturday.

Berry will answer questions Wednesday afternoon at a news conference in St. Joseph. Earlier Tuesday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid had said Berry was finishing a round of testing but hinted that positive news might follow shortly.

"We should have an answer for you on Eric within a day here," Reid said. "So far everything's positive, but we don't want to give you anything until we have everything."

Berry complained of chest discomfort after a late November loss to the Raiders in Oakland. A mass was found in Berry's chest, leading to a diagnosis of lymphoma.

"I am truly thankful for all of the support from family, friends, coaches, teammates and the entire Chiefs kingdom," Berry said in a statement shortly after the diagnosis. "At first I was in shock with the diagnosis ... and did not even want to miss a game. But I understand that right now I have to concentrate on a new opponent.

"I have great confidence in the doctors and the plan they are going to put in place for me to win this fight. I believe that I am in God's hands and I have great peace in that.

"I know my coaches and teammates will hold things down here the rest of the season and until I am back running out of the tunnel at Arrowhead. I am so thankful and appreciative of being a part of this franchise and playing in front of the best fans in the NFL. I will be back!"

Berry subsequently underwent treatment that included chemotherapy and radiation near his offseason home in Atlanta.

Berry has stayed mostly out of the public eye since being diagnosed. But Berry, who played in college at Tennessee, made an appearance at a Volunteers spring practice.