Mark Sanchez will remain off the air for Fox in Week 6, and not only because of his recent injuries.
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The former NFL quarterback, who was stabbed and later arrested following a violent altercation with a 69-year-old man in Indianapolis, will not be part of Fox's broadcast lineup for the second straight week, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Fox released its Week 6 broadcast crews on Tuesday, and Sanchez's name was missing from the list.
Even if he had been healthy, Sanchez might have been idle this weekend. He began the season on Fox's No. 6 broadcast team, and with only five games on the network schedule, one crew had to sit out. His regular partner, Adam Amin, will work instead. Amin is filling in for Joe Davis on the No. 2 team with Greg Olsen, since Davis is calling Major League Baseball playoff games.
Fox has not commented publicly on Sanchez's employment status since the incident that left him hospitalized, jailed, and facing several criminal charges, including felony battery. The situation is further complicated by a civil lawsuit filed by the victim, Perry Tole, who is also suing Fox. That makes this a legal headache with layers.
If Fox decides to part ways with Sanchez, he would have little incentive to cooperate with the network's attorneys in the civil case. Sanchez's defense will likely hinge on either denial or self-defense, while Fox's focus will be on whether the company exercised reasonable care in hiring and supervising him. Questions about alcohol, company-sponsored events, and the night's circumstances could all factor into the case.
For now, Fox remains silent. The next time the network has six games to cover instead of five, the bigger question will be whether Sanchez is back in a broadcast booth or preparing for a courtroom appearance.
