Brian Williams Getting Knee Replacement Surgery, Taking Medical Leave (VIDEO)

Brian Williams Taking Medical Leave

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Brian Williams told viewers on Thursday that he would not be around for the next few weeks due to upcoming knee replacement surgery.

The folks at TVNewser spotted the segment on "NBC Nightly News," in which NBC medical correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman interviewed the longtime anchor about his injury.

"I took a helmet to the knee in high school. It reversed my knee—they don't recommend that. I have been in pain for 35 years. I loved playing a team sport. I loved every minute of football," he said. Williams added that the pain he feels in his knee is now "costing [him] sleep." The 54-year-old anchor will under go the elective surgery on his right knee.

With Williams on the mend for the final weeks of summer, Lester Holt will fill in for the "Nightly News" anchor. Holt currently co-anchors the weekend edition of "Today" and serves as the weekend anchor for "Nightly News."

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