CBS Sports has placed Tony Romo on leave indefinitely after the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was arrested last week in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence.
In a statement released Friday, the network confirmed that Romo, 46, is "on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice." The decision comes after body camera footage from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office showed Romo failing multiple sobriety tests during a traffic stop on July 23.
Romo, who grew up in Burlington, Wisconsin, about 35 miles from Milwaukee, was in the state to participate in an amateur golf tournament at the time of his arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 21.
The network has tapped former NFL linebacker JJ Watt to fill Romo's role alongside lead play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. Watt, who joined CBS in 2023, had been part of the network's No. 2 broadcast crew with Ian Eagle last season after spending two years as an analyst on "The NFL Today."
CBS said it will "release the remainder of our NFL ON CBS roster at a later date," leaving open the possibility of further changes to its coverage team ahead of the upcoming season.
Romo joined CBS in 2017 as its top NFL analyst following a 14-year career with the Cowboys, during which he made four Pro Bowl appearances. His departure from the broadcast booth marks a significant shift for the network's NFL coverage, which has relied on his chemistry with Nantz since his debut.
The arrest has also drawn attention to Wisconsin's handling of OWI cases, particularly as the state's political scene heats up. The recent judicial ruling on ballot recasting and the Democratic gubernatorial primary have kept Wisconsin in the national spotlight, though Romo's case is unrelated to those matters.
Romo's legal troubles come at a time when public figures face increased scrutiny over off-field behavior, and CBS's swift action underscores the network's commitment to maintaining standards for its on-air talent.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
