CBS was forced to cut to a commercial break during the AFC Championship game after star linebacker Robert Spillane suffered an injury. The incident occurred during the game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, with a spot in Super Bowl LX at stake. Jarrett Stidham was set to lead the Broncos, while Bo Nix was ruled out due to a season-ending ankle injury.

The game was being broadcast by CBS, where veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was “intentionally muted” during pre-game coverage. The network had to interrupt the broadcast as Spillane lay on the field in discomfort. This followed recent controversy involving Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who faced criticism for his conduct during the national anthem.

Key Moments from the Game

The injury happened in the first quarter when the Broncos executed a short run play that left Spillane on the turf. Although he managed to walk off the field independently, he immediately went to the medical tent for further evaluation. He then headed to the locker room and exited the game.

“This is a big loss for them,” said Romo as CBS was forced to cut away for a commercial break.

Spillane is a team captain and has been a key leader on the Patriots’ defense. He signed a three-year, $33 million deal with New England in March, drawn by the chance to play under head coach Mike Vrabel. He quickly became a vital part of the defense, both for his all-around skills and leadership. Spillane entered the season as New England’s top linebacker and played 95.4% of snaps in the first 13 games.

Injuries and Impact on the Team

Earlier this season, Spillane suffered a foot injury before the Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills, which caused him to sit out the rest of the regular season. However, he returned for the playoffs and played 96.3% of the snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans, recording 12 tackles and two crucial pass breakups.

His absence will be significant for the Patriots, especially as the Broncos look to capitalize on the situation. Denver took an early lead in the defensive AFC Championship, with Stidham throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton within the first five minutes.

With Spillane sidelined, backup Jack Gibbens took over as the defensive signal caller for the Patriots. Gibbens filled the same role during Spillane’s previous absence earlier in the season.

Despite the setback, the Patriots’ defense has continued to perform well. During the first half, there was a notable moment when Stidham was hit and appeared to lose possession of the ball. The ball bounced toward the sideline, where Elijah Ponder recovered it and ran into the end zone for a defensive touchdown. However, the play was initially called incomplete and intentional grounding. After a review, it was ruled a fumble recovered by New England, leading to a red zone opportunity. Maye scored to tie the game, and the teams went into halftime tied at 7-7.

The game also saw some controversy surrounding a commercial featuring Matthew McConaughey, which led to NFL viewers threatening to take drastic action over what they described as an “atrocious” ad.