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NBC’s Mike Tirico sidelined by health issue ahead of Bears vs. Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football
Mike Tirico will miss NBC’s Sunday Night Football broadcast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ game against the Chicago Bears because of an unspecified health issue. He said he expects to return for next Sunday’s game in Cincinnati, and Noah Eagle will take over play-by-play duties alongside Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark.
Tirico, 59, has called Sunday Night Football since 2022, making this his fifth season in the role. His reported health history includes a severe allergic reaction linked to a nut allergy during the 2025 Kentucky Derby broadcast and a torn Achilles he disclosed in November 2024; NBC gave no details about his current condition.
In short
- Mike Tirico is missing Sunday night’s Bears-Buccaneers game.
- Noah Eagle will replace him on the broadcast.
- Tirico says he hopes to return next Sunday.
Explained simply
Sunday Night Football is NBC’s weekly televised NFL game, featuring teams from the National Football League. The Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are two of the league’s teams, and the broadcast typically includes a play-by-play announcer, who describes the action, alongside analysts and a reporter.
Mike Tirico has been NBC’s play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night Football since 2022. Noah Eagle is also a sports broadcaster, while Cris Collinsworth provides analysis and Melissa Stark reports from the sidelines.