Expect Eric Berry to be playing full time role for Chiefs vs. Packers

Eric Berry played nearly every snap last week against the Denver Broncos which is a sign that the Kansas City Chiefs think he is back from his cancer diagnosis last year. Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton confirmed to the media this week that Berry is just about fully back AND he is the starter in the Chiefs base defense, as we saw last week against Denver.

"This is the first stretch of a long period where he's been practicing," Sutton said of Berry, via quotes from the Chiefs. "He's practiced more this year, more than he ever did last year if you took camp and the whole season. I think that's what allows you to get back in it. He obviously was going through another thing that you put on top of that, but I think from a football standpoint, he's going. He feels good, I think when you talk to him he sees things better now and he's more comfortable there. And I think it's just going to keep getting better and better for him from a comfort standpoint. But I don't really see a lot different from him."

Berry was a part-time player in the preseason and in Week 1. I really did wonder if he would ever get back to his full time role. But last week against Denver he played 71 of the 73 defensive snaps in the game. Translation: He's back.

"I think he did pretty much that the other night," Sutton said when asked if Berry was the starter in the base defense. "I mean we roll so many people through there, half the time I don't even think about who's there. A lot of times it matters what the offense runs out with, which group's going out first. But yeah, he's back, he's playing all of the time and he's done a great job."

The way the Chiefs operated this offseason, signing Ron Parker to a new deal and inking Tyvon Branch to a deal, I'm guessing the Chiefs weren't expecting Berry back. So to throw a Pro Bowler into your defense somewhat unexpectedly? That's quite the luxury.