CINCINNATI -- Tyler Eifert pointed to a crescent-shaped scar surrounding the ball on his left ankle. That little spot is sidelining the Cincinnati Bengals tight end for training camp, and maybe more.He had surgery two months ago to repair a partial ligament tear that he suffered during the Pro Bowl. He was in a cast for six weeks and has to wear a protective boot for at least another week.Eifert was the most prominent Bengal who couldnt participate Friday in the first practice of training camp. Linebacker Rey Maualuga initially had been ruled out because of an offseason injury, but he was cleared to participate a few hours before practice.Eiferts injury is a significant setback to a team still looking for its playoff breakthrough -- no postseason victory in 25 years. Eifert set a club record for touchdown catches by a tight end (13). He became Andy Daltons favorite target near the goal line with his 6-foot-6 frame and dependable hands.He also made his first Pro Bowl. His cleats grabbed the ground on one step and he twisted his foot. Initially it was thought to be an injury that would heal with time, but it never got better.The injury I had -- more times than not you dont have surgery, Eifert said. I did everything right, followed the protocol, and it just didnt heal the way it was supposed to. It was something that had to be done.The season opener is six weeks away -- in New York against the Jets on Sept. 11 -- which doesnt leave much time for him to get the ankle back to full strength and get himself in playing shape. Its possible hell be sidelined or limited for the first few games.Theres a long progression that you have to go through here to return to play, Eifert said. Youve got to be watched by a lot of different eyes and go through a lot of different steps.The injury has convinced Eifert that his first Pro Bowl appearance will be his last.If I ever get asked back, that is, Eifert said. But no. I mean, it was one of my most favorite weekends Ive ever had, just hanging out with the guys. Its cool. You play against these guys all year long. Some of the guys have been in the Pro Bowl multiple years that you watched growing up. Youre in the pool hanging out. It was a lot of fun.Then it comes to (game day) and youre on the bus going, `Were going to play a game? Holy .... So it was a great week, but I dont want to risk going through this again.Maualuga initially was ruled out of practice because of an offseason injury that sidelined him for a month. The Bengals will be missing linebacker Vontaze Burfict for the first three games of the season, when he serves his NFL suspension for illegal hits. Maualuga wanted to be on the field for the start of camp.I dont want to just show up a week or two before our first game and (coaches are) trying to rush and get me to do this and do that, he said.Game notes Coach Marvin Lewis theme for this season -- featured on black shirts he left in each players locker -- is Pound The Rock, with a logo of two crossed hammers. I just feel like once the last season ended and I began thinking about 2016, we had to stay the course and we had to keep pounding, he said. ... Maualuga had a new look: black and orange dreadlocks. He and Burfict agreed to get their heads shaved as a new look for the season, but Maualuga changed his mind. Eventually I will, Maualuga said. My daughter tells me to cut it all the time, so in due time I will. ... Rookie WR Tyler Boyd took a pitch on a reverse and threw a touchdown on the third play of 11-on-11 drills, filling the versatile role of former WR Mohamed Sanu. 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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Indians manager Terry Francona sat in the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, moments after a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, and knew only that Boston awaited his club in the postseason.He didnt know where the series would begin. That was still to be determined by games elsewhere, as was whether Cleveland would need to make up a rained out game in Detroit on Monday.Well, Francona said with a grin and a shrug, were either going to shower and go home or shower and go to Detroit. Either way, Im showering.Suds up that loofah, Tito. Youre heading home.The Tigers loss to the Braves coupled with Bostons loss to the Blue Jays gave Cleveland (94-67) homefield advantage in the divisional round. The newly minted AL Central champions open against Boston (93-69) on Thursday at Progressive field with Trevor Bauer slated to take the hill.You get to the last weekend of the year, you see a lot of guys kind of tailing off, said Francona, who has yet to win a postseason game in Cleveland. Our guys never did that.Not even in their regular-season finale.Josh Tomlin (13-9) dueled with the Royals Ian Kennedy (11-11) into the eighth before finally pulling ahead. Carlos Santana drew a walk off Kennedy to start the inning, Jason Kipnis followed with a double and Frnacisco Lindor hit a fly ball deep enough to right field for the lead.Tomlin got the first batter in the eighth before Andrew Miller finished it up, and Cody Allen handled the ninth to earn his 32nd save and give the Indians a nice boost heading into the playoffs.Ive never really experienced the postseason, said Tomlin, the expected Game 3 starter, so I know Ill be ready when that time comes. We knew we put ourselves in good position.It was a frustrating finale to an injury plagued season for the Royals, who had been to the past two World Series and were coming off their first championship since 1985. A dismal July nearly buried them, an inspired August got them back into contention, and a stumbling finish left them at 81-81.It was their first non-winning season in four years.We were just one win away from having a winning season. We had four cracks at it at the end of the yeear and just couldnt get it, Royals manager Ned Yost said.dddddddddddd Offensively, we just couldnt do it.Meanwhile, there were so many playoff permutations riding on the final day of the regular season that Francona was still trying to sort everything out 3 hours before first pitch.The only thing he knew was his club was playing Boston on Thursday -- somewhere.They fell into a 1-0 hole when Jarrod Dyson and Whit Merrifield opened the game with doubles off Tomlin, the expected Game 3 starter in the divisional series, but the lead didnt even last the two innings.The Indians answered in the third when Tyler Naquin was plunked by a pitch from Ian Kennedy, and Yan Gomes went deep to left field on the first big league pitch hed seen since July 17.Kansas City tied it up when Cheslor Cuthbert homered leading off the fifth inning, but the Indians were able to coax across one more run to once more beat a team theyve dominated this season.One mistake, I gave up a home run and it kind of cost me, Kennedy said. Overall, I was really happy how the outing went. At least, I gave our team a real solid chance.TRAINERS ROOMIndians: Gomes, activated from the 60-day DL on Friday, started for the first time since breaking his right hand in a rehab game Sept. 14. Its been a long way back, Gomes said. They said I cant hurt it any more. Youll just have to play through it, play through the pain.Royals: 1B Eric Hosmer missed the finale with a wrist issue hes been battling for weeks. C Sal Perez was the DH to protect an ailing hamstring. ... RHP Dillon Gee is scheduled to have another procedure Oct. 11 for blood clots in his shoulder and lung. The issue popped up during a start in Detroit.UP NEXTIndians: The chase begins for their first playoff victory since 2007, when they lost to the Red Sox -- managed by Francona -- in a seven-game AL championship series.Royals: Time to think about next season. General manager Dayton Moore has some roster decisions to make, including whether to exercise team options on SS Alcides Escobar and RHP Wade Davis. ' ' '