Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy will coach the second half of his team's NFL Week 6 game against Tampa Bay with an apparent injury.
The CBS broadcast reported that the 62-year-old spent halftime in the blue medical tent on the Steelers' sideline instead of joining his team in the locker room. He was seen limping on the field at Raymond James Stadium, favoring his right ankle.
"Mike McCarthy, heading off the field, and appears to have twisted his ankle," CBS play-by-play announcer Andrew Catalon observed as the broadcast returned from studio coverage at the half. "You can see him slow up, and then needing a little assistance.
"He went right into the blue medical tent, and he spent the entire halftime in the tent. He just came out. He never
went to the locker room at halftime as he was getting his leg looked at."
#Steelers HC Mike McCarthy is injured and spent the entire halftime in the blue medical tent. He’s still coaching now in the second half.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 18, 2026
Here’s the video: pic.twitter.com/9AKTipW7R2
CBS sideline reporter AJ Ross said that the team expected him to coach the second half from field level and that the injury was a "freak thing" as McCarthy was walking to speak with her at halftime.
McCarthy is in his first season as coach of his hometown team after 18 seasons with Green Bay and Dallas. He is the offense's play-caller, so any departure from the playing surface would be a change for the team's process.
His Steelers trailed 13-3 halftime against a Buccaneers team playing without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers coach Mike McCarthy misses halftime after on-field injury
