Miami DB Al Blades Jr. out for rest of the season with myocarditis

Miami defensive back Al Blades Jr. will miss the rest of the season after he was diagnosed with myocarditis following his bout with COVID-19, he announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Blades said he will miss at least the next three months while recovering — effectively ending his season. Myocarditis, the inflammation of the heart muscle, is one of several complications related to the coronavirus.

Blades has recorded 29 total tackles and two interceptions for the Hurricanes this season. He missed their 48-0 win against Duke on Saturday — which was their first game back after a two-week pause due to a coronavirus outbreak.

Myocarditis, according to the Mayo Clinic, is the inflammation of the heart muscle which can impact the organ’s electrical system and reduce its ability to pump or cause abnormal rhythms. It can lead to heart failure, heart attacks or strokes and even sudden cardiac death.

Myocarditis has been found in several athletes who have battled the coronavirus, including Boston Red Sox Pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez — who struggled fighting the coronavirus for months — and Buffalo Bills tight end Tommy Sweeney, who is the NFL’s first known case of myocarditis.

The disease is also part of the reason that the Big Ten conference was so hesitant to play football earlier this fall. A study at Ohio State found that four of the 26 athletes tested in the study had showed signs of myocarditis in September.

The Hurricanes have two games left in their regular season, starting this Saturday against No. 17 North Carolina.

More from Yahoo Sports:

• Wetzel: Washington stuns Steelers, puts respect on NFC East’s name

• Robinson: Wentz situation looms over next wave of QB extensions

• Goodwill: Harden making a mess of his forced exit from the Rockets

• Manza Young: Will virtual hiring process help minorities? Not so sure