Tyler Eifert is an incredibly talented tight end that looked ready to assert himself as one of the best in the league after a good start to his career.

But that prospect hasn't come true thanks to the Cincinnati Bengals star's horrible troubles with injury stunting his development and plaguing him every time he seems to get in a good rhythm. 

And, heartbreakingly, it happened again today in the Bengals' game against the Atlanta Falcons as the big man suffered yet another season-ending injury. 

Eifert caught a nice pass from Andy Dalton in the third quarter before he was tackled by Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell.

Eifert's ankle got caught underneath the weight of the tackle, and it ended up pointing completely sideways as the pressure of the linebacker came down on it. Eifert immediately began writhing in pain on the floor, simultaneously in calls for assistance and heartbreak at knowing that another season must be declared a write-off.

Eifert was taken off the field with a big aircast over his leg, a piece of equipment usually saved for broken, fractured and dislocated bones.

And judging by the angle Eifert's foot was pointing at, it was definitely broken. No ankle should look like that, with the bone seemingly protruding from under the sock.

You can take a look at the play here...

That's horrible. You have to feel for the big man, he has the absolute worst luck. The tears in his eyes as he gets carted off show just how badly he was affected.

Eifert, the former Notre Dame star, signed a one-year, prove it contract in the offseason worth $5.5m. It was his chance to show he could stay healthy and be productive for the full season - and earn a big contract in the process.

Now, he's back at step one. And it'll be a very lonely place.