NBC play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico will be absent from the Week 9 "Sunday Night Football" broadcast between the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a health issue. Tirico announced his unavailability in a statement released by the network.
"Unfortunately, I will have to miss tonight’s game in Chicago due to a health issue," Tirico stated. "I look forward to watching tonight and can’t wait to be back with Cris, Melissa and the rest of our NBC team next Sunday night in Cincinnati."
Filling in for Tirico will be Noah Eagle, who is NBC's lead college football voice and also calls NBA games. Eagle recently called the thrilling matchup between Notre Dame and Miami on Saturday night.
Tirico took over as the lead announcer for "Sunday Night Football" at the start of the 2022 season. He was set to call his 300th NFL game on Sunday. Ahead of this milestone, former colleague Cris Collinsworth praised Tirico's passion and talent in a statement to The Athletic.