Chiefs' Eric Berry signs 1-year deal, to practice Monday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Safety Eric Berry reported to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice facility, signed his one-year contract worth about $10.8 million and will be with the team at practice on Monday.

After signing the contract, Berry's next order of business was to meet with coach Andy Reid.

"I sat down with him and we chatted,'' Reid said. "He had a smile on his face and he's ready to go.

"It's good to have him back. He's got a smile on his face and he's ready to go. We'll get him back in there and get him into football shape now. He's in great shape. It's just (a matter of) getting him back into football shape.''

Berry, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is the Chiefs' franchise player. The sides couldn't come to an agreement on terms on a multi-year contract before the July 15 deadline, leaving Berry no option but to sign the Chiefs' obligatory one-year offer if he was going to play this season.

With training camp and three preseason games finished, Berry evidently felt this was the right time to rejoin the Chiefs. The Chiefs plan for Berry to be available in the Sept. 11 regular season opener against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium.

But Reid indicated Berry probably wouldn't play in Thursday's final preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead.

"I would probably lean against playing him Thursday,'' Reid said. "I would just give him time within practice to get himself ready for the opener.''