Burfict leaves practice early with ankle injury

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict’s day went from bad to worse when he suffered an ankle injury that forced him to leave practice early just a few hours after being fined $75,000 by the NFL for stepping on the leg of New England running back LeGarrette Blount.

Burfict suffered the injury during the portion of practice not open to the media, but head coach Marvin Lewis confirmed it forced the linebacker to leave early. Lewis said the injury is not believed to be serious.

The team listed Burfict as limited on the practice report.

Tight end Tyler Eifert (ankle/back) also was listed as limited in his first practice since Oct. 3.