"As if Sunday's woeful defeat to the Buffalo Bills wasn't bad enough, the Chiefs received more devastating news on Monday when they learned they've lost one of their brightest young stars to a season-ending knee injury.

Pro Bowl strong safety Eric Berry will be placed on injured reserve after tearing ligaments in his left knee early in the Chiefs' 41-7 loss at Arrowhead Stadium, a game already infamous for being the worst opening-day defeat in franchise history.

"Eric is a special and will continue to be a special individual," Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. "This really digs you deep first and foremost because I know how hard he's worked, and I know how much it means to him."

According to the NFL's guidelines regarding injured-reserve status, the soonest Berry could return to competition is fall 2012. He was unavailable for comment Monday.

"It's devastating for him," Haley said. "That's the biggest heartache for me.""