Lisa Salters Remains Absent for a Second Week From Sideline Reporting Due to an Undisclosed Family Matter

November 14, 2026

This article was last updated by Aditi Rai on November 14, 2026

Celebrated ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters missed her “Monday Night Football” duties for the second consecutive week, citing an undisclosed family issue. However, it remains unknown what happened to her family.

Alisia Salters, professionally known as is a former basketball player and current journalist.

Salters graduated from Penn State University in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, marking the first step into her distinguished career.

Born on March 6, 1966, she has been a reporter for ESPN since 2000 and joined the Monday Night Football team in 2012.

With over a decade of accomplished reporting, she is the longest-tenured reporter in MNF’s history.

In addition to her broadcasting career, she played point guard for the Lady Lions, her college basketball team, for a year.

Laura Rutledge Fills In When Lisa Salters Temporarily Steps Away from Monday Night Football Sideline

ESPN’s MNF team appeared slightly different as the sideline reporter Lisa Salters was absent from the field for two weeks.

Initially, Salters missed the exciting clash between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets on October 14.

Following that, she was also away for the game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 21.

"Laura Rutledge again with us tonight. We miss the heck out of Lisa Salters who is tending to a family matter. Hope to have her back next week, or whenever she gets things settled.

"We're certainly thinking of her on this night, as we were a week ago." – Joe Buck

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing)

During the October 21 broadcast, Joe Buck revealed that she was off-duty due to a family situation, saying,

We miss the heck out of Lisa Salters who is tending to a family matter. Hope to have her back next week, or whenever she gets things settled. We’re certainly thinking of her on this night, as we were a week ago.

In the meantime, Laura Rutledge, the host of NFL Live and SEC Nation, stepped in to take over sideline reporting duties in place of Salters.

In an interview with US Weekly, ESPN mentioned,

Lisa is attending to a personal matter and we look forward to her return.

As a result, the reason for Lisa Salters’ absence and her family matters have not been shared online, respecting the family’s privacy.

Despite this, the MNF crew and audience miss Salters’ empathetic and outstanding reporting, eagerly awaiting her return.

Additionally, the acclaimed reporter was compelled to forgo her regular reporting duties following COVID-19 protocols.

Lisa Salters’ Partner Stephanie White Announced That She Would Prioritize Family Amid an Ongoing Emergency

, the head coach and also shared that she would focus on her loved ones amid family emergencies.

Furthermore, she is a former basketball player and head coach for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.

'It's been a part of my DNA from day one.'

— IndyStarSports (@IndyStarSports)

White, holding back her tears, heartbreakingly expressed,

Just being here for my family, getting through this, that’s my priority. I’m not having conversations right now about anything outside of my family. I’m solely focused on my family and getting through this tough time.

Although the exact details remain unknown, it is clear that the pair had experienced a difficult period.

Following the tragedy, the partners resumed their regular assignments, with Stephanie White transferring from Connecticut Sun to Indiana Fever.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• The journalist graduated from Upper Merion Area High School in King of Prussia.
• She is also a cousin of former University of Pittsburgh and Dallas Cowboys star running back Tony Dorsett.
• Lisa Salters and Stephanie White are adopted parents of four children.

• Check other Articles on

I'm a student pursuing bachelor's degree and a freelance content writer at playersbio. I enjoy exploring different topics and sharing my thoughts in a way that connects with people. Writing helps me learn new things and express myself. I’m always excited to enhance my skills and create content that have real impact.

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