FOX NFL Sunday Addresses Howie Long's Illness Absence

Howie Long was absent from FOX NFL Sunday ahead of Week 5 due to feeling unwell, a situation his colleagues immediately addressed on air. The veteran analyst had been missing the show since last season when he also arrived at the studio under the weather before returning home. His co-stars Terry Bradshaw and Michael Strahan continued their usual analysis alongside Rob Gronkowski while Long remained at home to recover from his illness. Fans of the panel's chemistry were forced to wait another week for him to return ahead of Week 6, as viewers generally prefer analysts who are not coughing or sniffling during game breakdowns.