NFL Refs to Work Back-to-Back Games After FAA Stoppage Impacts Travel Schedules

It is reportedly going to be a busy Sunday for a handful of NFL officials.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported referee Don Willard, umpire Terry Killens, field judge Jabir Walker and side judge Justin Larrew will all work Sunday's game between the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis at 1 p.m. ET before traveling to Cincinnati to also work the night game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals at 8:20 p.m. ET.

They are doing so because the NFL adjusted officiating assignments in an effort to "avoid further travel issues," per Schefter, after the Federal Aviation Administration grounded nationwide flights for hours on Friday.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said the stoppage happened because of "a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers."

While the NFL had to adjust the officiating schedule, it didn't face as many challenges as college football since many teams travel the day before their game on Fridays.

ESPN noted a number of kickoff times were changed because of travel issues. Most notably, the game between Ole Miss and Oklahoma was moved from Saturday to Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Elsewhere, a number of NBA and NHL teams faced travel issues.

It reached a point that Colorado State even held a walk-through at the airport:

Duffy said in a Friday press conference that college football teams that were facing challenges should contact the FAA directly:

According to Google Maps, the driving time between Indianapolis and Cincinnati is approximately one hour and 45 minutes without significant game traffic. If the game between the Colts and Dolphins ends around 4:15 p.m. ET, the officials will likely have enough time to make it to Cincinnati with some time to warm up before the Bengals and Steelers kick off.

Still, it is a quick turnaround that could be impacted by traffic.

Schefter reported the officiating schedule was changed by "reassigning officials to games within driving distance of their hometown."

As for the game itself, it is a massively important one in the AFC North. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are tied for first place in the division at 6-2, and the winner will be right in the middle of the race for the AFC's No. 1 seed as well.