Mike McCarthy Spends Halftime in Medical Tent After Sideline Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy spent halftime in the sideline medical tent Sunday, October 18, after someone stepped on him near the end of the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He returned to coach the second half of Pittsburgh’s 26–19 overtime victory.

McCarthy was limping and needed help from a staff member to reach the tent, according to NFL.com. The Steelers trailed 13–3 at the break.

“I got stepped on, but it’s nothing major. Just shake it off,” McCarthy said afterward, according to Steelers Now.

CBS sideline reporter AJ Ross said the incident happened as McCarthy was coming over to speak with her at halftime. He stayed on the sideline for treatment rather than crossing the field to join the team inside.

McCarthy said he communicated with the locker room from the tent. Assistant head coach Joe Whitt Jr. took on additional halftime duties, with McCarthy crediting him for keeping the work moving while the medical staff attended to him.

Whitt already handles some head-coaching responsibilities during the break, McCarthy explained. The team made its adjustments, but McCarthy had to catch up on the offensive discussions when the players returned to the field.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers said the absence did little to change the players’ normal halftime routine, although players noticed McCarthy had not come into the locker room and wondered whether he was all right.

“I don’t recommend it. It’s really hot in there,” McCarthy said of his time in the tent, according to NFL.com.

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