Sheinelle Jones has been noticeably absent from the Today show's third hour for the past four months—and now, her co-hosts are breaking their silence to offer reassurance and support.

During a segment that aired Friday, April 11, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer gave a brief but emotional update on their colleague, who has been off the air since December 18, 2024.

“I just talked to her a couple days ago — she’s taking some time to be with her family and we talk to her all the time,” Melvin shared. “We love our girl. It’s been nice to see how much everyone else loves her, too.”

Roker, who sat beside Melvin on set, added simply: “We’re just praying for her.”

Dreyer, echoing the sentiment, confirmed that Jones will return to the show when she’s ready. “She misses being here — she wishes she was here with us, but she’s doing what she needs to do,” she said.

In January, Jones addressed her absence in an Instagram post, thanking viewers for their continued support as she navigates a serious family health matter. 

“It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today show family, but to also have all of you,” she wrote. “Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon.”

While no further details have been disclosed publicly, a source confirmed to PEOPLE earlier this year that the health issue does not involve Jones or her children directly but remains a deeply personal matter for the family.