Doctors find troubling mass in chest of Chiefs safety Eric Berry

Doctors have found a mass in the chest of Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry, and have raised the possibility that it could be cancer.

Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said the “leading consideration” for what Berry has is lymphoma, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star.

Berry, among the NFL’s best defensive player, reportedly complained of chest discomfort after last Thursday’s loss to Oakland. That prompted an examination, and doctors found the mass in the right side of his chest.

Berry has been placed on the non-football illness list and is headed to Atlanta for further examination.

He released a statement on the team’s website:

“I am truly thankful for all of the support from family, friends, coaches, teammates and the entire Chiefs kingdom. At first I was in shock with the diagnosis on Saturday 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!”

Chiefs Coach Andy Reid said Berry “needs to be a beast.”

“He’ll attack this,” Reid said.