CBS puts Tony Romo on indefinite leave, J.J. Watt to fill

CBS has placed its lead NFL analyst, Tony Romo, on indefinite leave following his arrest in Wisconsin last month on suspicion of operating while intoxicated. The network has elevated former star defensive lineman J.J. Watt to fill the role alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson for the upcoming season, which begins in a few weeks.

Romo’s future with the network is now uncertain. He has a scheduled court date on September 21 in Wisconsin related to the July arrest. CBS has already planned to keep him off its broadcast team for at least the first three weeks of the regular season, including the Week 1 game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings on September 13 and the Week 3 game in Brazil on September 27. The network has not set a timeline for his return.

The situation has sparked widespread speculation about a permanent successor for one of the most prominent roles in sports broadcasting. Financial considerations are a significant factor, as Romo is still owed approximately $72 million over the next four years on his contract. While the deal reportedly contains a morality clause that could allow CBS to terminate it for cause,...