Justin Hartley’s 'Tracker' has firmly cemented itself as a fan-favorite in CBS's lineup, consistently topping the ratings after two seasons. But here's the thing: fans have been eagerly waiting for the return of Bobby Exley, Colter Shaw’s trusted tech wizard, who has been missing from the screen for several episodes. Played by Eric Graise, Bobby’s absence has left a noticeable void. So, the big question on everyone's mind is: is Bobby coming back? Let’s dive into everything we know so far about his absence and his anticipated return.
When Did Bobby Last Appear on 'Tracker'?
Let’s rewind to the last time we saw Bobby in action. It was during season 2, episode 9, titled “The Disciple.” In this episode, Bobby played a pivotal role in helping Colter solve one of his most challenging cases. The case involved tracking down the killer of Gina Picket, a young woman who vanished after work. With the help of his team and ex-cop Keaton, Colter managed to bring down a serial killer who referred to himself as “Teacher.” Bobby’s tech skills were crucial in cracking the case, and his absence afterward left fans wondering what happened.
Fast forward to season 2, episode 10, and Bobby was nowhere to be found. Instead, his cousin Randy, played by Chris Lee, stepped in to handle all of Colter’s tech needs. Randy, much like his cousin, is tech-savvy and has a history of assisting Colter on previous cases. This shift in roles left fans curious about Bobby’s whereabouts and eager for his return.
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Bobby's Offscreen Journey: What Fans Know
During a phone call between Randy and Colter, Randy explained why Bobby was missing from the show. “Bobby is dealing with some family stuff, but he wanted to make sure he didn’t leave you hanging,” Randy said. Colter, recalling their past collaboration, replied, “I remember you. You helped me with that case where you hacked into the police server.” Randy, clearly proud of his past work, responded, “Some of my best work. And for the record, I’m the one who taught him how to jailbreak his phone.”
At first, viewers weren’t given much detail about the family issues Bobby was facing. Instead, Randy continued to work alongside Colter on various cases. Bobby was absent from episodes 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of season 2, leaving fans speculating about his situation.
It wasn’t until season 2, episode 15, that Colter and Randy revealed more about Bobby’s situation. Colter mentioned that he had been trying to text Bobby but received no response. He learned that Bobby had to attend the funeral of a close friend and was going through a tough time. “You know how he gets. He doesn’t like to talk about personal stuff,” Randy explained. Colter understood that Bobby needed time to process his grief and wasn’t surprised by the lack of response. “I know that is hitting him hard. They were like brothers,” Randy added, offering insight into the depth of Bobby’s loss. “He will get back to it — and if he doesn’t, then I will make sure he does,” Randy reassured, hinting at Bobby’s eventual return to 'Tracker.'
Fans Demand Answers About Bobby's Absence
As Bobby’s absence stretched on, fans couldn’t help but wonder why their favorite tech expert was gone. Social media lit up with posts from fans expressing their concern and excitement for his return. “Bobby… please come back!!!” one person pleaded on X after episode 14 aired on CBS. Another fan commented, “I am enjoying this season of Tracker a lot but please give me Bobby back?? #TrackerCBS.” Some viewers expressed frustration, with one user asking, “WHERE THE HELL DID BOBBY GO?! He was sort of the only reason I kept watching because I love him sm.” The demand for answers was clear, with another fan commenting on the show’s Instagram account, “Where is Bobby? We deserve to know if Eric Graise is coming back.”
Not all fans were discouraged, though. One hopeful viewer chimed in, “They said before in an episode he’s visiting family. I believe he’ll come back soon because of the books!!”
A Hint of Hope: Bobby's Return to 'Tracker'
Things started looking up for Bobby’s return. During a March 2025 interview with TV Insider, Fiona Rene, who plays lawyer Reenie Greene on the show, hinted that Bobby and Randy might team up in a future episode. “I mean, can we just talk about Randy for a second?” she said. “I love Chris Lee with everything in my body. He’s been such a wonderful addition to the Bobby dynamic, and I am very excited to see them together.”
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When asked if she could imagine Randy, Bobby, Velma, and Reenie working together in the future, Fiona responded, “I don’t know. But we love it. We love to manifest this. But other guest stars, I mean, I feel like we’ve just been so lucky with so many talented guest stars, and that’s kind of where our show thrives.” Fiona also noted the show’s commitment to offering opportunities to new talent, saying, “Every episode we’re bringing on new talent to sink their teeth into something. It’s actually really beautiful to see that.”
Additionally, Deadline reported in February 2025 that Chris Lee had signed on in a “recurring role opposite Eric Graise” for season 2. The exact number of episodes Chris was expected to appear in wasn’t disclosed, but this news fueled anticipation for Bobby’s return.
CBS Teases Bobby's Return in Upcoming Episode
In April 2025, CBS released photos from season 2, episode 16, of 'Tracker,' showing scenes from the upcoming episode. One photo featured Bobby chatting with Randy, hinting at his return after a long absence. The episode summary read, “Colter helps an old friend with a search and rescue mission for two missing sisters in the snowy Montana wilderness. Meanwhile, Reenie gets a visit from a new client that challenges her morality.” While the summary didn’t
