Todd McShay just announced he's temporarily stepping away from his role at ESPN … just 3 days after viewers expressed concern over his appearance at the Alabama-Miami game.

McShay was reporting from the sideline during the big college football matchup … when fans — including ex-NFL player Darius Butler — noticed things looked off with the reporter.

"I don't know Todd McShay personally," Butler said, "but I hope he's ok."

It's unclear if McShay's announcement Tuesday is in any way related to the concerns over his television appearance … the longtime ESPN reporter said only, "I am going to take some time away to focus on my health and my family."