In an unusual scheduling development, four
The officiating crew, consisting of Don Willard, Terry Killens, Jabir Walker, and Justin Larrew, will first take the field for the 1 p.m. ET matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts. Following the conclusion of that game, the quartet will travel 110 miles to Cincinnati to officiate the primetime contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, scheduled for an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.
League Adjusts Assignments Amid Travel Chaos
The NFL confirmed the adjusted assignments on Sunday morning as part of a broader strategy to ensure games are staffed by officials located within driving distance of their respective venues. The travel complications stem from a major nationwide ground stop—the longest of its kind in 25 years—which resulted in the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights. The disruption, which caused widespread delays for professional and college sports teams, was attributed to technical issues during an update to the national air traffic control system.
For this specific double assignment, Don Willard will step into the referee role for both games, a departure from his usual position as a side judge. The league noted that all 17 officiating crews maintain a designated backup referee who undergoes specialized training throughout the year to step into the lead role if necessary. This preparation proved vital as the league scrambled to manage the impact of the aviation system failure, which created ripple effects for travelers and organizations throughout the weekend.
