Eric Berry makes return to the field against Cardinals

— -- Dressed in his Kansas City Chiefs uniform and helmet, Eric Berry shared an emotional hug with his mother Carol as he entered the University of Phoenix Stadium playing field. Less than nine months after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, Berry was about to return to game action in the Chiefs' preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona.

Moments later, Berry participated in the pregame coin toss as a Chiefs' captain. Berry then completed his rapid comeback by entering the game on the fourth play from scrimmage when the Chiefs went to their nickel defense. The Cardinals completed a 57-yard pass on the play, though Berry was not involved.

Berry later played a series at safety when the Chiefs went to their nickel defense. He wasn't credited with any tackles or assists.

Doctors discovered a mass in Berry's chest shortly after the Chiefs' Nov. 20 game at the Oakland Raiders last year. Days later, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and soon after began chemotherapy treatment.

Berry finished his treatment in May and was declared cancer-free by his doctors a month later. Berry was cleared to practice and play by the Chiefs in late July, the day before they began a three-day minicamp for rookies, quarterbacks and players coming off injury or illness.

The Chiefs withheld Berry from contact during their first couple of training camp practices in pads, but they lifted his restrictions on physical play.