Eric Berry lost for season with Achilles injury suffered vs. Patriots

The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off a road upset over the New England Patriots, but their defense took a massive blow late in the fourth quarter. Star safety Eric Berry was carted off the field with an Achilles injury that will end his 2017 season.

After the game, Andy Reid confirmed it was an Achilles problem but didn’t reveal the severity. A day later, Reid said it was a ruptured Achilles which will end the five-time Pro Bowler’s season.

Berry went to the ground after his leg appeared to buckle on a routine pass coverage play. He stayed on the field for several minutes before the Chiefs brought out the cart.

Berry is the one loss the Chiefs defense couldn’t afford. One of the league’s best safeties, Berry was coming off yet another monster year with four interceptions, nine passes defended, and 77 total tackles.

Coming just one year after successfully beating lymphoma and winning Comeback Player of the Year, Berry solidified himself as the Chiefs’ most important defensive player. He got rewarded in the offseason with a new contract worth up to $78 million over six years.

With Berry out, the Chiefs defense suddenly looks a lot more vulnerable than it did while shutting down Tom Brady and the Patriots for most of the game. This is a devastating loss no matter how you slice it.