Mixon and Burrow to miss Bengals lockout

Bengals running back Joe Mixon tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and will not play in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

The Bengals also will not have starting quarterback Joe Burrow rest his “sore” knee for the playoffs, coach Zac Taylor said. Brandon Allen is expected to take the reins.

Mixon’s test result came Wednesday, sources reported, and he becomes the seventh Bengals player on the active roster to be placed on injured reserve/COVID-19. Four starters – deep Vonn Bell, defensive wing Trey Hendrickson, left guard Quinton Spain and center Trey Hopkins – were placed on the roster Tuesday.

Mixon ranks second in the NFL this season with 1,205 ground yards on 292 attempts, an average of 4.1 yards per carry, with 13 touchdowns, which is the fourth-best mark among running backs. He has also caught 42 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns.

He joined Hendrickson and rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase as first-time Pro Bowl selections this season. The Bengals (10-6) clinched the AFC North title last Sunday to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015.

Burrow, who has started all 16 games this season, said he expects to practice this week. He has thrown for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns with an NFL-best 70.4 percent of his passes completed.

“You can get a little break at this point in the season,” Burrow commented. “You know, we play a lot. Bodies are starting to wear down a little bit. (I want to) rest this week and get my body back to where it needs to be so I can get my full strength back running the way I need to for Week 1 of the playoffs.”

The Bengals (10-6) are currently in the No. 3 seed in the AFC, having clinched the AFC North. They have two scenarios in which they could clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, both of which require a win against the Browns along with losses by the Titans and Chiefs. In addition, Cincinnati would also need the Bills to beat the Jets or the Patriots to lose or tie against Miami.