The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals will have a replacement official for their upcoming AFC North game.
According to SteelersNOW.com, the teams were originally scheduled to have veteran NFL official Clete Blakeman serve as the head referee for the Sunday night contest.
Instead, Don Willard will step into the role for the primetime matchup.
Willard, who typically serves as a side judge, is undertaking an assignment that is considered unheard of in recent NFL history.
The official is scheduled to work two games in a single day.
Prior to his appearance at the Steelers-Bengals game, Willard will serve as the referee for the 1 p.m. matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts.
As noted by the reporting outlets, this schedule results in one of the longest days for an official in league history.
The league has not yet provided further details regarding the specific reasoning for this unusual officiating assignment.
Fans looking to follow the Sunday night game can watch the broadcast on Channel 11, per information provided by WPXI.
The local station also encourages viewers to stay updated on breaking news through their mobile application.
The unprecedented nature of this officiating double-header highlights the unique logistical challenges that can arise during the NFL season.
While officials are accustomed to high-pressure environments, the physical and mental demand of managing two full-length professional football games in less than 12 hours is virtually unknown in the modern era of the sport.
Both the Steelers and the Bengals will now adjust their preparations to account for the change in the officiating crew assigned to their high-stakes divisional battle.
The league continues to monitor the situation as the game day approaches.
All updates regarding the broadcast and further team news are being tracked by local media affiliates.