You don’t need to be a doctor to understand Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz suffered what appeared to be a catastrophic knee injury in a 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn seemed to confirm the worst possible news about Ertz’s injury after the game. Ertz appeared distraught as he was taken off the field on a cart.
“Commanders coach Dan Quinn told reporters that TE Zach Ertz is feared to have torn his ACL, which would explain Ertz’s emotional reaction,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account.
“Commanders HC Dan Quinn told reporters the concern is that TE Zach Ertz tore his ACL,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account. “Ertz will undergo tests to confirm the diagnosis.”
Ertz’s injury came when Vikings safety Jay Ward went low and hit Ertz on the top of his right knee as he tried to catch a pass — a play that could result in a fine or even possibly a suspension for Ward.
“This is a dirty hit by Jay Ward that has left Zach Ertz down on the field and needing assistance from the trainers to leave the field,” Commanders reporter Chad Ryan wrote on X. “No place for this on the football field. Disgusting play.”
The loss dropped the Commanders to 3-10 with their eighth consecutive loss.
Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels was also taken out of the game after suffering an injury to his left arm in the second half. Quinn said that was just precautionary because the Commanders were trailing by so much by the time he was able to go back in.
Ertz Might Have Played Final NFL Game
Ertz, 35 years old, is in his 13th NFL season and second season with the Commanders. He spent the first 9 seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was a Super Bowl champion and 3-time Pro Bowler.
In 2018, Ertz set the NFL single season record for tight ends with 116 receptions to go with 1,163 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also owns the NFL record for most career 2-point conversions (7) shared with Alvin Kamara and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk.
Ertz, who is playing on a 1-year, $6.25 million contract, has experienced a career resurgence in Washington. The 35-year-old won a Super Bowl and was a 3-time Pro Bowler with the Philadelphia Eagles but seemed headed out of the league after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals in 2023.
Bringing Career Back to Life With Commanders
Playing on a 1-year, $3 million free agent contract in 2024, Ertz finished second on the team in receiving with 66 receptions for 654 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Commanders also went 12-5 in the regular season and advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.
Ertz entered Week 14 against the Vikings second on the team with 49 receptions for 493 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“Zach Ertz didn’t deserve to go out like this,” X user Premiere Vee wrote. “Absolutely brutal way to end a career if he doesn’t get to play another down of football.”
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