Zach Ertz received the diagnosis he feared most. The star tight end for the Washington Commanders had been awaiting the results of the medical tests he underwent after being injured in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, and the results were disheartening.
Ertz is considered one of the most consistent tight ends in the league. In his 13-year career, the Commanders’ star has amassed 775 receptions for 8,088 yards and 53 touchdowns.
Selected 35th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, Ertz spent just under nine seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals midway through the 2021 season.
In 2023, he was traded to the Detroit Lions, where he was part of the practice squad, before signing a one-year, nearly $6.3 million contract with Washington. However, his career may have come to an end.
The devastating injury Ertz suffered against Minnesota
This Monday, Ertz received the diagnosis for the injury he suffered in the Week 14 game. An MRI confirmed that he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
In a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Commanders announced, “HC Dan Quinn confirmed that TE Zach Ertz suffered a season-ending injury in yesterday’s game. Wishing 86 a healthy recovery.”
Despite the team’s wishes, some experts believe the severity of the injury could end the veteran tight end’s career. Neither Ertz nor the team has provided a timeline for his recovery.
The shocking image of Ertz’s injury
Ertz was injured early in the second half of the game against the Vikings. The Super Bowl LII champion jumped to catch a pass from Marcus Mariota, and safety Jay Ward delivered a hard hit directly to his supporting leg.
Ertz’s knee buckled to the side with the impact, and he immediately fell to the ground, clutching his leg. The player was stabilized on the field and then taken to the locker room.
After being declared out for the remainder of the game, Ertz returned to the field crying, with a knee brace, and his head covered by a towel. The initial blow, however, was nothing compared to the devastating news he received from the doctors on Monday.
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