Panthers-Saints game won't have a replay assistant, due to ground stop
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- A nationwide ground stop has disrupted NFL officiating assignments for Sunday games, leading to non-referees serving as referees in four games and side judge Don Willard working two games in one day.
- The Panthers-Saints game will lack a replay assistant, with those responsibilities being handled remotely by the league office, potentially straining resources during the busy 1:00 p.m. ET game window.
- The NFL has adjusted Week 10 officiating assignments to keep officials close to their hometowns, likely causing significant crew changes and introducing unfamiliarity that could affect call consistency.
- Full details of the officiating changes remain unannounced and will only be revealed once the NFL releases the official Game Books for Sunday’s games.
