The Pittsburgh Steelers have avoided the need to make firm decisions on the long-term state of the franchise — a staple of the modern-day Black and Gold — but they do have questions to answer regarding the health of their head coach. Mike McCarthy was unable to join his team in the locker room during halftime of Sunday's road game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he spent the approximate 13-minute pause tending to a foot/ankle injury in the blue medical tent. The Super Bowl 45 champion was not thrilled, to say the least.

“I don’t recommend it,” he said, per The Athletic's Mike DeFabo. “It’s really hot in there.”

McCarthy was seen limping while everyone exited the field at the end of the second quarter. He later confirmed that someone stepped on his foot, forcing him to bestow halftime duties on assistant head coach and secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. This stroke of bad luck accentuated a rough first 30 minutes of play for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers threw an interception at their own 39-yard line, missed a 48-yard field goal and went into the break down 13-3. Questions about the future seemed to creep up once again, but once again, this aging squad weathered the storm and wore down its inferior opponent. Aaron Rodgers got into rhythm and the offense scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. The defense facilitated six of those via Jalon Daniels interceptions, enabling Pittsburgh to dictate the tempo.

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Rodgers fired the eventual game-winning touchdown to rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard, who posted 11 receptions for 87 yards. DK Metcalf matched the 11 catches and led the way with 93 receiving yards. Defensively, Jalen Ramsey and Nick Herbig both recorded two sacks, while Jamel Dean and Daylen Everette snagged an interception each. Even with a hampered head coach, the Steelers (4-2) trudged ahead and left Raymond James Stadium with a 26-19 overtime victory.

A Mike McCarthy motivational speech was evidently not needed on this day, but his display of toughness likely resonated with the squad to some degree. He will try to heal before next Sunday's showdown with the New Orleans Saints. A long trip to Paris, France will probably complicate that objective.