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Sports · October 18, 2026

Steelers coach Mike McCarthy heads to medical tent with apparent ankle injury, misses halftime to get treatment

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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy suffered an ankle injury late in the first half of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 18, 2026. The 62-year-old coach spent the entirety of the halftime period in a sideline medical tent receiving treatment instead of joining the team in the locker room. Despite the injury, McCarthy returned to the sideline for the second half and continued his duties as the offensive play-caller. The Steelers eventually rallied from a 13-3 halftime deficit to win the game 26-19 in overtime.

Read the original coverage

Reported by multiple outlets

  • Mike McCarthy suffered an ankle injury late in the first half.
  • McCarthy spent the entire halftime period in the blue medical tent.
  • McCarthy did not go to the locker room at halftime.
  • The Steelers trailed the Buccaneers 13-3 at halftime.
  • McCarthy returned to the sideline to call offensive plays in the second half.
  • The Steelers won the game in overtime.

Reported by only some outlets

  • McCarthy was helped off the field by a staffer acting as a 'human crutch'.
  • McCarthy stated after the game that he had been stepped on.
  • Assistant coach Joe Whitt Jr. took over some head coaching responsibilities during halftime.
  • McCarthy described the medical tent as 'really hot'.
  • The injury occurred while McCarthy was walking toward a CBS sideline reporter for an interview.

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CadNews does not determine absolute truth or endorse political viewpoints. It compares publicly available reporting, identifies shared facts, highlights framing differences, and flags uncertainty.