Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt is joining CBS’ top NFL broadcast team after Tony Romo was placed on leave following his Wisconsin arrest.

HOUSTON — Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt is stepping into one of the biggest roles in sports broadcasting after CBS Sports announced he will temporarily replace Tony Romo on its top NFL broadcast team.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, CBS Sports announced Friday that Romo was placed on leave from his role “until further notice.”

Schefter also reported that Watt will join play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson while Romo is away.

CBS did not specify a reason for Romo’s leave. The announcement comes after Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, was arrested in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence.


Romo arrested in Wisconsin

According to KHOU 11’s sister station in Dallas, WFAA, Romo was pulled over around 5:30 p.m. local time in Milwaukee County after a deputy said she observed moving violations.

Body camera video obtained by WFAA shows the deputy telling Romo she noticed he had red, glassy eyes and detected “the odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage” on his breath.

Romo told officers he had not been drinking and said he was on his way to visit his grandparents.

The deputy later handcuffed Romo and took him to a police station for field sobriety tests. According to WFAA, officers also found miniature liquor bottles in Romo’s backpack, though Romo pointed out they had not been consumed.

Video obtained by WFAA shows Romo struggling to complete portions of the field sobriety test.

After the tests, Romo asked, “Did I pass the test?” Before being handcuffed again, he added, “No, I didn’t.”

According to WFAA, Romo refused to take a breathalyzer test and repeatedly requested to speak with his attorney.

He was issued a court date of Sept. 21 on the operating while intoxicated charge. WFAA reported that his attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


J.J. Watt moves into CBS’ top NFL booth

Watt’s temporary assignment marks another major step in his broadcasting career.

The former Texans defensive end joined CBS Sports in 2023 as a studio analyst on The NFL Today before moving into the game booth for the 2025 NFL season.

When CBS announced that promotion last year, Watt said he was eager to return to the atmosphere of NFL game days.

“There is nothing better than the energy and excitement of being in the stadium on game day in the NFL,” Watt said in a statement. “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return to that atmosphere each week.”

CBS Sports President and CEO David Berson previously praised Watt’s transition from the field to television.

“JJ is one of the greatest players in the history of the NFL, and a future Hall of Famer,” Berson said. “Over the last two years – as a studio analyst and on social media – he’s connected with fans through his passion, insight and desire to truly have fun.”

Watt spent 10 of his 12 NFL seasons with the Houston Texans after being selected 11th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks and forced fumbles and won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Now, the Texans legend will join Nantz and Wolfson on CBS’ lead NFL broadcast team while Romo is on leave.

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