‘He Doesn’t Need His Hand To Broadcast’ — Media Analyst Downplays Jim Nantz’s On-Air ‘Injury’ Following Viral Segment With J.J. Watt
‘He Doesn’t Need His Hand To Broadcast’ — Media Analyst Downplays Jim Nantz’s On-Air ‘Injury’ Following Viral Segment With J.J. Watt
Colin Witte Tue, October 20, 2026 at 2:37 AM UTC
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Apr 1, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz acknowledges the crowd in the semifinals of the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament between the Florida Atlantic Owls and San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium. © Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY SportsJim Nantz took J. J. Watt’s football demonstration a little too seriously.
Jim Nantz took J.J. Watt’s football demonstration a little too seriously. Now the CBS announcer is joking about needing a pregame workout to prove he can handle another Sunday in the booth.
Jimmy Traina checked on Nantz after his attempt to punch a football out of Watt’s grip became a viral moment. Judging by the response, Nantz’s sense of humor survived the encounter.
Jimmy Traina Shares Jim Nantz’s Mock Injury Update
During “Traina Thoughts,” the sports media analyst revisited the exchange from Sunday’s Buffalo Bills–Las Vegas Raiders broadcast. Watt was explaining ball security while discussing James Cook and invited Nantz to test his grip.
Nantz obliged with enough force to surprise his partner. He later appeared on camera with an ice pack on his hand following theill-fated “Peanut Punch” demonstration.
Traina enjoyed the moment, particularly Watt’s reaction. He also wanted to find out whether Nantz had actually hurt himself.
“I did text Jim Nantz last night,”Traina said, explaining that he requested an on-the-record update about his hand.
According to Traina, Nantz responded with a joke straight out of an NFL injury report.
“Jimmy, I’ll probably be listed as questionable Wednesday when the first injury report comes out.”
Traina continued reading the message, in which Nantz joked that Jim Rikhoff had suggested working him out before Sunday’s game in Baltimore. Nantz expected to be available.
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The message also included a promise about his commitment to the job.
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“I told JJ they’re going to have to drag me out of the booth to stop me from talking.”
Nantz clearly understood the assignment. If a broadcasting demonstration was going to leave him reaching for ice, he could at least squeeze a few football jokes out of it.
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Traina Expects Nantz Back Behind the Microphone
Traina acknowledged that he could not tell how much of the ice-pack sequence was played up for television. He used wrestling terminology to describe that uncertainty, wondering whether it was a staged bit or a genuine injury.
His takeaway from the exchange was reassuring.
“So, I think everything’s fine with Jim Nantz. He does not need his hand to broadcast,” Traina said.
He identified the Baltimore Ravens–Cincinnati Bengals matchup as Nantz’s next assignment and said he expected him there Sunday.
There should be plenty of offense to discuss. Following Sunday’s Week 6 games, Baltimore ranks eighth inPFN’s 2026 Offense Impact Metric with a 78.1 grade, immediately ahead of Cincinnati at ninth with a 77.8.
Traina’s update offered no medical diagnosis, and Nantz’s mock designation was clearly delivered as a joke. It did suggest the veteran broadcaster was already looking ahead to his next game.
Watt may want to keep the next ball-security lesson strictly verbal.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
