Zach Ertz’s season is officially over. Could his career be over as well?
The Washington Commanders on Monday confirmed the veteran tight end sustained a torn ACL in his right knee on Sunday when Minnesota safety Jay Ward hit a leaping Ertz while he was trying to catch a pass.
The 35-year-old Ertz was helped to a cart on the sideline, where he was emotional as teammates came to offer encouragement.
Ertz, in his 13th NFL season and his second with the Commanders, posted 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns this season. Playing on a one-year contract, Ertz is set to be a free agent with his future very much in the air.
“He has meant a lot to our team, both on and off the field,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said Monday. “He’s been an ideal teammate to help set a standard about habits, and so we’re all bummed for him.”
Ertz had yet to miss a game with the Commanders, but he missed at least six games in three of his four seasons prior to joining Washington.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia in the 2017 season. He caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ 41-33 win over New England in Super Bowl LII.
His 825 career receptions are fifth all-time among tight ends. Three of the four players ahead of him — Tony Gonzalez (1,325 catches), Jason Witten (1,228) and Antonio Gates (955) — have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame while Travis Kelce (1,064 receptions) seems a shoo-in when he becomes eligible.
Ertz’s 116 receptions for the Eagles in 2018 stands as the single-season record for tight ends.
He has 825 catches for 8,592 yards and 57 touchdowns in 181 regular-season games with Philadelphia (2012-21), Arizona (2021-23) and Washington (2024-25).
