ESPN's Randy Moss taking leave for health reasons

Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss is taking an extended leave of absence from his role as an ESPN NFL analyst to focus on a "personal health challenge," the network said Friday.

Moss, 47, raised concerns on Sunday in an Instagram post in which he asked fans to pray for him and his family.

Without specifying a particular illness, Moss urged men to get bloodwork and checkups. Viewers had noticed that the whites of his eyes were visibly yellow, a potential sign of jaundice.

"I just ask for all the prayer warriors to put their blessing hands on me and my family through these hard times. People were talking about my eyes last week," Moss said. "I'm battling something, man, and it's something internal. Your boy is going to get through it. I got a great team of doctors and got a great family around me."

Moss has been part of ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" crew since 2016.

"For nearly a decade, Randy has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently elevating ‘Countdown' with his insight and passion," the network said in a statement. "He has ESPN's full support, and we look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready."

Moss was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 with 982 receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns in 218 games with the Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).

The four-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection led the NFL in receiving touchdowns five times, including a single-season record 23 scores with the Patriots in 2007.

--Field Level Media