Eric Berry's question after diagnosis: Can I play against the Broncos?

We were already rooting for Eric Berry after Monday's awful news that a mass was found in his chest and doctors suspect it may be lymphoma.

The Kansas City Chiefs safety is an electric player — an All-Pro in 2013 — and one tough dude. He also has one hell of an attitude in the face of what looks to be a terrible diagnosis.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid addressed Berry's condition at a press conference this week and said his star defender's reaction to the jarring news was to ask the doctor if he could still play in Sunday night's game against the Broncos.

"I wasn't in the room at that particular time, but (trainer) Rick (Burkholder) and the doctors talked to him. He did ask that," Reid said, "and he asked it to me again. ... That's just the way he's wired."

That's pretty darn cool.

The Chiefs (7-4) host the Broncos (8-3) in a huge AFC West game. A win would bring Kansas City into a tie with Denver atop the division -- though the Broncos would still hold the tiebreaker edge. A Broncos win would put them in prime position to sew up the division.

Berry released a statement after Monday's news expressing optimism in his fight and declaring, "I will be back!"