Why Jim Nantz won’t be on CBS broadcast of Buccaneers vs. Panthers Week 18 game

Tony Romo will have a new play-by-play teammate for Sunday’s game between the Buccaneers and Panthers.

CBS announced Friday morning that veteran play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz will miss the NFC South battle. Tom McCarthy, who has been streaming select NFL games for CBS since 2014, will replace Nantz and allow the network to avoid a major shakeup of its other broadcast teams from Week 18.

Why did CBS take Nantz out of the game in such a short time?

Why Jim Nantz won’t be on the CBS broadcast of Buccaneers vs. Panthers

The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t just creating problems for coaches and players. It has also affected people who call games.

Nantz will miss the Buccaneers vs. Panthers due to health and safety protocols. CBS did not specify whether Nantz had tested positive for COVID-19.

The network encountered a similar problem last year when Romo had to lose a game from week 17 between the Cardinals and the Rams due to health and safety protocols. Boomer Esiason replaced Romo as analyst for that contest.

Who is Tom McCarthy?

In addition to his NFL assignments, McCarthy has been a play-by-play announcer for CBS broadcasts of college basketball and football games. He has also broadcast college basketball and NFL games on Westwood One Sports radio.

While he has a lot of experience on the national stage, McCarthy is perhaps best known for being the voice of the Phillies on television.

NFL schedule for week 18

Saturday, January 8

Sunday, January 9

NFL Broadcast Teams for Week 18

Saturday, January 8

Sunday, January 9