NBC “Sunday Night Football” play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico said Sunday afternoon he will miss the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears due to “a health issue.”
Tirico, 59, did not specify the health issue that will force him to miss Sunday night’s game.
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“Unfortunately, I will have to miss tonight’s game in Chicago due to a health issue,” Tirico said in a statement released by NBC Sports. “I look forward to watching tonight and can’t wait to be back with Chris, Melissa and the rest of our SNF team next Sunday night in Cincinnati.
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“Noah Eagle will call tonight’s game with Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark.”
Chris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico on the field before announcing a game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
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Tirico is not known to have any sort of chronic health issue and the fact he is already announcing a return after one game suggests his current status is not exceedingly serious.
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NBC Sunday Night Football color commentator Cris Collinsworth talks with recording artist Carrie Underwood before a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 24, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nev. The Steelers defeated the Raiders 23-18. (Getty Images)
Tirico does have a reported health history that includes a nut allergy, which caused a severe allergic reaction during the 2025 Kentucky Derby broadcast. He also suffered a torn Achilles that he disclosed while calling Sunday Night Football in November 2024.
Mike Tomlin and Mike Tirico appear at the 2026 NBCUniversal Upfront at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Monday, May 11, 2026. (Virginia Sherwood/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Mike Tirico has called Sunday Night Football since the 2022 season, when he replaced Al Michaels. The 2026 season is his fifth season as the telecast’s play-by-play voice.
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