The Chiefs don’t have safety Eric Berry in camp and he might not be reporting for duty any time soon since he can show up just before the start of the regular season in order to collect all of the $10.8 million he’s due to make under the terms of his franchise tender.
That scenario would have Berry back with the team for the season, but he might need to be eased back into action. It has also left them shorthanded on the back end of the defense at training camp.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Chiefs will address that shortfall by signing veteran safety Jeron Johnson. Johnson was released by the Redskins in March after spending one year with the team. He played 14 games, starting twice, and made 27 tackles. Johnson spent the first four years of his career with the Seahawks, playing in 46 games as a reserve over that time.
It’s a big difference than having Berry in the secondary, obviously, but the Chiefs need a body for practice and the preseason and Johnson gives them an experienced one.