Chiefs All-Pro safety Eric Berry, 25, is gearing up for a fight after a mass was found in his chest following last week’s game in Oakland. He was placed on the non-football injury list Monday, and trainer Rick Burkholder said Berry may have lymphoma.
Burkholder said doctors are “75 percent” of the way toward a definitive diagnosis, and that Berry was on his way to Atlanta to be examined by specialists at Emory University.
“They may do further scans. In all likelihood, they’ll do a biopsy of one of the lymph nodes or the mass,” Burkholder said. “We’ll be able to give you more information in the next couple days.”
“I understand that right now I have to concentrate on a new opponent,” Berry said. “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.”
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Manziel group in flap
A Browns fan who says he wanted to give Johnny Manziel “a hug” was struck by the rookie quarterback’s entourage at a downtown Cleveland hotel and was left with a swollen eye and lip, according to a police report.
Chris Gonos, 33, told police he and his girlfriend approached the first-round draft pick near an elevator at The Metropolitan at The 9 at about 2:25 a.m. Saturday. Gonos said he took one step toward Manziel and was punched by a man listed on the report as Dana Kirk. Gonos contends he was struck several times in the face and “pushed and attacked” by a group of unidentified men who were with Manziel. Kirk said Gonos tried to assault Manziel, and he defended the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner.
Browns general manager Ray Farmer said in a statement the team is gathering more information to understand what happened. Browns coach Mike Pettine said he has spoken with Manziel about the incident, but would not divulge any details.
Extra points
- Texans QB Ryan Mallett is being evaluated for an undisclosed injury, reported to be a torn pectoral muscle.
- Veteran Jay Feely, who was beaten out by Chandler Catanzaro for the Cardinals’ kicking job last summer, will have a tryout today with the Broncos.
- Browns starting safety Tashaun Gipson (sprained right knee) might miss the rest of the season. Gipson leads the NFL with six INTs.
- Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said RT Andre Smith hurt his left triceps on Sunday, not his biceps as the team originally reported. Lewis declined to say how long Smith might be sidelined.
- The Redskins placed special teams captain Adam Hayward (knee injury) on injured reserve.
- Vikings T Phil Loadholt (torn pectoral muscle) will miss the rest of the season.
- Lions C Dominic Raiola acknowledged he attempted to cut block DT Zach Moore during a kneel-down on the final play of Sunday’s 34-9 loss to the Patriots. The league is investigating the play.
- New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged $11 million in donations to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. One of the gifts will be earmarked to renovate adjacent Fawcett Stadium, which will be renamed after the Saints’ longtime owner. The remainder of the donation will be used toward a “Hall of Fame Village,” which will include a residence for Hall of Famers and former NFL players, a sports and entertainment complex, hotel and conference center, a youth center and playing fields.
