Al Roker forced to stay on the sidelines during 'Start Today' walking challenge segment as 'Today' host recovers from knee surgery

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Today’ host Al Roker recently introduced June’s Start Today walking segment. After he revealed the segment to the viewers, he was forced to sit this out as he could not walk with the rest of the team.

On Thursday, June 1, 2023, the ‘Today’ host had to sit out during his morning show walking segment as he is still recovering from his knee replacement surgery. Though his co-hosts walked during the challenge, they were joined by Stephanie Mansour, a host of ‘Step It Up With Steph’ on PBS and the Create Channel. Roker introduced a new June’s Start Today walking challenge which aims at helping members get up and leave their seats to get healthy. Other ‘Today’ co-hosts -- Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Carson Daly, and Sheinelle Jones -- marched during the segment and filled in for Roker.

Al Roker on the sidelines

During the segment, Al did host his segment, however, could not walk with the rest of the team. He kicked off the segment by saying, “We wanna gear everybody up for our Start Today the walking challenge for the month of June”, as he was joined by Stephanie Mansour. She’s a regular contributor to ‘Today’. Al continued, “It's hard to believe our community has over half a million members, and of course we want you to join us today”.

Al and Stephanie were joined by several members to outset the march. As he encouraged everyone to get going through a loudspeaker, he was sitting on the sidelines owing to his ongoing recovery from knee replacement surgery. He continuously cheered the rest of the team on and is planning to join once he is fully recovered from knee surgery.

Al Roker’s grand comeback

Earlier last month, Al made a grand return to the morning show and gave a stunned surprise to his co-hosts. As he was recovering from his knee surgery at home which took place on May 9, he and his wife Deborah Roberts kept their fans updated about his recovery. Al surprised the co-hosts on live TV following the segment. Guthrie and Kotb all giggled after his comeback as Guthrie screamed, “Look who’s here”, while Kotb shouted, “Come on!”

Al smiled and walked toward the hosts as Guthrie shared, “Mr Roker, we are so happy to have you back in our studio. You've got a brand-new knee.” Al joked as he moved his knee back and forth stating, “I've got a new wheel. We're getting there.” Guthrie teased, “Does it still have that new knee smell?” Al replied, “Well, Don’t want to go there, but it’s all good.”