Injury to rookie Burrow ‘ tore everybody apart’

COLUMBUS, OHIO » If it wasn’t bad enough already, 2020 took a terrible turn for the Cincinnati Bengals and their prized rookie quarterback Joe Burrow.

The Heisman Trophy winner and top draft pick brought excitement and hope to the franchise and its long- suffering fans that was drained in an instant when Burrow’s left leg was bent in an unnatural angle in the second half of Sunday’s game against Washington.

Cincinnati lost Burrow for the season, then lost the game.

“It just kind of tore everybody apart,” receiver Tyler Boyd said.

Shortly after the game, Burrow tweeted: “Thanks for all the love. Can’t get rid of me that easy. See ya next year.”

Coach Zac Taylor would say only that Burrow will have surgery and should be ready for 2021 season. Burrow was placed on injured reserve on Monday.

“He was a tremendous leader for us, and he gave us a lot of energy the way he led the unit,” Taylor said. “I can’t be robot coach and say that we’re not going to be missing that, because we will.”

Bills tight end Sweeney diagnosed with inflamed heart

BUFFALO, N. Y. » Buffalo Bills tight end Tommy Sweeney will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with an inflamed heart, which is considered a COVID- 19 aftereffect.

Coach Sean McDermott provided the update on Monday as the Bills ( 73) returned from their bye week to prepare to host the

Los Angeles Chargers ( 3- 7) this weekend. McDermott said a team doctor discovered Sweeney had myocarditis during an examination to determine whether he could resume practicing.

The second- year player has been sidelined by a foot injury since the team opened training camp in July, and began the season on the physically unable to perform list. Sweeney was then placed on the team’s reserveCOVID- 19 list on Oct. 24.

McDermott was unable to provide any timetable on Sweeney’s recovery.

McKinney, Ximines to start practicing

EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. » Second- round draft pick Xavier McKinney and linebacker Oshane Ximines will start practicing with the New York Giants this week.

The Giants, who had a bye this past weekend, announced Monday they are starting the 21- day period to determine whether to take them off injured reserve or keep them on it for the rest of the season.

New York ( 3- 7) also said punter Riley Dixon and long snapper Casey Kreiter were activated off the Reserve/ Covid- 19 list. They had been placed on it on Wednesday after having close contact with a player who tested positive for the virus.

Kicker Graham Gano, tight end Kaden Smith, rookie tackle Matt Peart and recently signed wide receiver/ return specialist Dante Pettis remained on the COVID- 19 list.

McKinney, a safety from Alabama, broke his left foot in training camp and has not played in a game this season. Ximines hurt a shoulder against the Rams on Oct. 4.