Eric Berry Cleared for Practice After Hodgkin Lymphoma Diagnosis Last December

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on July 28 that safety Eric Berry had been cleared to hit the field for the July 29 training-camp practice session, roughly seven months after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. On Monday, he was in full pads for the first time, according to Don Banks of SI.com.

Head coach Andy Reid spoke about Berry on July 28, implying he'd need to pass the requisite physical tests to be cleared for football activities.

"He's kept himself in good shape, believe it or not," said Reid of Berry, per the Kansas City Star's Terez A. Paylor. "He's really done a good job there. But like I said, he's got to go through all the formalities here."

Reid also said Berry "looked pretty good out there" and that he needed to remain honest about how he's feeling, per Paylor. In addition, Reid noted the safety is planning on starting the first game of the season, per Pete Sweeney of Chiefs.com. 

"He never had a thought where he was not going to play football," Reid said, per Sweeney. "His thought was I'm going to conquer this thing and play," he continued, per the Chiefs' official Twitter feed.

Trainer Rick Burkholder called Berry's recovery "a remarkable thing," per ESPN's Adam Teicher. Teicher also noted the safety learned he was cancer-free on June 22. Burkholder said Berry opted for IVs during chemo to allow him to work out, per Sweeney. 

"Right now, we're very optimistic that everything is headed in the right direction," Burkholder said, per Paylor. Paylor also noted the safety would take part in team activities Thursday but would have Friday off. 

Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in December 2014 and underwent his final treatments in June. The three-time Pro Bowler was a first-team All-Pro selection with a magnificent 2013 campaign before an high ankle sprain slowed him last year prior to the discovery of his cancer.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller did well to summarize the sentiments sure to be surrounding Berry's impending return:

On July 29, Jim Trotter of ESPN said he was told Berry "looked great" during the last month of training, and was "extremely motivated to get back out on the field."

Still just 26 years old, Berry has plenty of football ahead of him, but all of that takes a back seat to his well-being. This is quite a comeback effort for the Chiefs playmaker, whose physical tools are as good as any NFL defensive back.