Miami Safety Al Blades Jr. Out for Season with Myocarditis

University of Miami safety Al Blades Jr. is out for the rest of the season after he was diagnosed with myocarditis a heart condition that has been linked to COVID-19.

He announced the end of his season in a Twitter post on Tuesday, saying he was "looking forward to returning to the field in 2021." Blades also said the condition was discovered while he was "going through COVID protocols."

The No. 10 Hurricanes, who played their first game in 20 days against Duke Saturday after a COVID-19 outbreak paused their season, will play No. 17 UNC this weekend before closing out the season against Georgia Tech on Dec. 19. 

Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle usually caused by a viral infection, has been observed in people who have had COVID-19. A study out of Ohio State published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Cardiology showed four of 26 college athletes who had tested positive for COVID-19 also showed signs of myocarditis.

The condition caused Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez and Buffalo Bills tight end Tommy Sweeney to miss the 2020 seasons in their respective sports. 

Blades, a junior, said his recovery will take around three months. He did not play in the team's return to action and joined 14 other Hurricanes players who were unavailable, according to Susan Miller Degnan and David Wilson of the Miami Herald. 

Through eight games this season, Blades picked up two interceptions while adding 29 tackles (19 solo). Te'Cory Couch took Blades' slot in the lineup in each of the Hurricanes' past two games, recording six tackles, 0.5 sacks and an interception.