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ESPN Makes Embarrassing Mistake During Monday Night's NFL Playoff Broadcast
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- ESPN Makes Embarrassing Mistake During Monday Night's NFL Playoff Broadcast
ESPN made an embarrassing mistake during Monday night's NFL Wild Card Round playoff broadcast.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Houston Texans in the final game of the Wild Card weekend. The Rams , Bears, Bills , 49ers and Patriots had all previously advanced into the Divisional Round. The Steelers and the Texans were playing for the final spot in next weekend's slate of games. Pittsburgh ultimately fell to Houston, 30-6, in a blowout loss.
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Joe Buck , Troy Aikman , Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge were on the call of the game. However, ESPN made an embarrassing mistake early in the broadcast.
ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
During the broadcast, ESPN showed the Houston Texans starting defense. The ESPN broadcast had a view of Houston's secondary, which included Jimmie Ward at safety. However, Ward was not playing for the Texans.
Ward isn't even on Houston's active roster. He hasn't played a snap for the Texans all season long.
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Ward has been on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list all season following an injury. He was also placed on the Commissioner Exempt list following offseason arrests.
NFL fans react to ESPN's embarrassing error
"Embarrassing stuff from ESPN," one fan wrote.
"Now THAT'S Awful Announcing," one fan added.
"I thought I was going crazy," another fan wrote.
Meanwhile, it's unclear what Ward will do in the future. The 34-year-old defensive back might have played his final snaps in the National Football League. Following his injuries and his legal situation, it's possible that he's played his final games.
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The Texans, meanwhile, will take on the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round next weekend. The Patriots and the Texans are scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. E.T. on Sunday. The game will be airing on ABC and ESPN.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Jan 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports Media section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
