‘Today’ Hosts Share Update on Sheinelle Jones Amid Her Absence From the Show: ‘Praying for Her’

Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer headed off to Miami for a special assignment, but one member of the Today team was noticeably absent – Sheinelle Jones.

The cohosts shared an update on Sheinelle, 46, amid her time off from the show to deal with a “family health matter.” In a video interview featured on Access Hollywood on April 12, Craig, 45, Al, 70, and Dylan, 43, were asked if they have been in touch with Sheinelle while she’s been missing from the show.

“Just talked to her a couple of days ago. She’s taking some time to be with her family and we talk to her all the time, and we love our girl. It’s been nice to see how much everyone loves her, too,” Craig said about his colleague.

“We’re just praying for her,” Al added in support.

“She misses being here, you know, she wishes she was here with us but she’s doing what she needs to do and she’ll be back,” Dylan said.

Beginning in December 2024, Sheinelle was absent from Today for multiple weeks, causing fans to grow concerned about what happened to her. She was not on set for Hoda Kotb’s final episode of the show on January 10, as fans continued to hope that everything was OK after missing such a big day.

Sheinelle broke her silence amid her absence from the show on January 15, sharing a statement on her Instagram at the time.

“I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show. I want to share with you that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter,” she wrote in the post. “It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not on the the support of my Today show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon. Love, Sheinelle.”

She did not give a timeframe as to when she is expected to be back on the show. After speaking out about why she has been absent from the show, the broadcaster earned the support of her colleagues, fans and friends in the comments section of the Instagram post.

“We love you ….. you are being held….. you are family xoxo,” Hoda, 60, said in a comment underneath the post.

“I’ll keep you in my prayers,” Justin Sylvester said.

“Love you so much,” Joy Bauer wrote.

Today’s official Instagram account commented, “We love you, Sheinelle.”

“We miss you and love you and are sending our support,” Vicky Nguyen penned.

“You are where you are supposed to be we are with you,” Maria Shriver shared.

“I love you. Our family is sending love and prayers your way,” Craig’s wife, Lindsay Czarniak, wrote in a comment.

Sheinelle was also mentioned during an episode of Today when Jill Martin filled in for her on the show on April 10.

“Welcome to the third hour of Today. I’m Craig, this is Dylan, and cousin of the show as Sheinelle would say, Jill Martin,” Craig told viewers.