Where is Cris Collinsworth? NBC broadcaster takes annual holiday break for NFL Week 12 game

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It's been a busy week for Mike Tirico and the NBC football production crew, with two Week 12 matchups taking place on the network. However, the play-by-play announcer's usual partner-in-crime won't be in the booth tonight for "Sunday Night Football."

As the Ravens and Chargers get set for the prime-time matchup, Cris Collinsworth won't be in attendance at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Instead, it will be Jason Garrett taking the NBC analyst's place alongside Tirico on the broadcast. 

Collinsworth was in the booth with Tirico on Thanksgiving Day for NBC's production of the 49ers-Seahawks game. San Francisco downed its division rivals to solidify its spot at the top of the NFC West. 

Tonight, the Ravens and Chargers get the prime-time treatment. Baltimore is the top team in the AFC, entering the matchup with an 8-3 record. Meanwhile, Los Angeles' dismal 2023 season has the team outside the playoff picture at 4-6, the worst record in the AFC West. 

MORE: Watch 'Sunday Night Football' live on Fubo (free trial)

Here is more information on why Collinsworth won't be in the booth for tonight's "Sunday Night Football" game. 

Where is Cris Collinsworth?

Collinsworth won't be Tirico's partner-in-crime on Sunday night. Instead, it will be Garrett as the analyst for tonight's game between the Chargers and Ravens. 

The absence of the longtime color commentator is due to Thanksgiving weekend. After Collinsworth was on the call Thanksgiving Day for the 49ers-Seahawks game on Thursday night, he is electing to spend the rest of the weekend with his family. 

It's not the first time Collinsworth has sat out one of NBC's two games during Thanksgiving weekend. Last year, Colinsworth was absent for the Thanksgiving matchup between the Vikings and the Patriots. Garrett and Tony Dungy took on the roles as analysts alongside Tirico for that game. 

Collinsworth will be back in the booth next Sunday night in Green Bay when the Packers host the Chiefs in Week 13. 

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Sunday Night Football Schedule 2023

Week Date Matchup/Result
1 Sept. 7 (Thu.) Lions 21, Chiefs 20
1 Sept. 10 Cowboys 40, Giants 0
2 Sept. 17 Dolphins 24, Patriots 17
3 Sept. 24 Steelers 23, Raiders 18
4 Oct. 1 Chiefs 23, Jets 20
5 Oct. 8 49ers 42, Cowboys 10
6 Oct. 15 Bills 14, Giants 9
7 Oct. 22 Eagles 31, Dolphins 13
8 Oct. 29 Chargers 30, Bears 13
9 Nov. 5 Bengals 24, Bills 18
10 Nov. 12 Raiders 16, Jets 12
11 Nov. 19 Broncos 21, Vikings 20
12 Nov. 23 (Thu.) 49ers 31, Seahawks 13
12 Nov. 26 Ravens vs. Chargers
13 Dec. 3 Chiefs vs. Packers
14 Dec. 10 Eagles vs. Cowboys
15 Dec. 17 Ravens vs. Jaguars
16 Dec. 23 (Sat., 4:30 p.m. ET) Bengals vs. Steelers
16 Dec. 23 (Sat., 8 p.m. ET) Bills vs. Chargers
17 Dec. 31 Packers vs. Vikings
Author(s)
Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy is an NHL content producer at The Sporting News.