Steelers coach Mike McCarthy spends halftime in medical tent with ankle injury

McCarthy limped off the field before trainers examined his injury throughout halftime.

Logan Bowles/Getty Images Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Pittsburgh Steelers is examined by a team trainer during halftime of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Oct. 18, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.

NFL players spend plenty of time in the medical tent during games, but you don't often see coaches being examined.

But on Sunday in Tampa, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy had to be looked at in a rare scenario.

McCarthy limped off the field at halftime, and he never made it back to the locker room as the Steelers trailed the Buccaneers 13-0.

The CBS broadcast said that McCarthy hurt his ankle on the sideline. He spent the entire 15-minute break getting treatment from trainers.

#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.

Here’s the video: pic.twitter.com/9AKTipW7R2
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 18, 2026

Despite missing halftime and struggling to walk off the field, McCarthy stayed on the sidelines for the start of the third quarter and resumed his coaching duties.