For the first time since 2021, Zach Ertz will suit up for the Philadelphia Eagles Monday night against the Chicago Bears. The veteran tight end is expected to be activated off the practice squad according to Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane.
The Eagles, who are without Dallas Goedert due to a sprained MCL he suffered in Week 2, only have Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins on the current active roster at the position. Mundt is a blocking first tight end while Jenkins has just one career reception in 12 total games in his three-year career primarily playing on special teams. Second-round pick Eli Stowers and veteran Grant Calcaterra are on the IR.
Ertz signed a deal last Monday to join the Eagles’ practice squad and now will be elevated to make his Philadelphia return in primetime as the Eagles look to start a season 3-0 for a fourth time under NIck Sirianni.
The 35-year-old tight end will join DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks as a third pass catching option for an offense that ranked 12th heading into Week 3 averaging 217 passing yards per game thanks to the strong play of Jalen Hurts.
There is a milestone watch for Ertz who can continue to climb in the team’s record book.
He is just 11 catches away from breaking Harold Carmichael’s franchise record for career-receptions. He also is 11 games shy from moving to fourth all-time in games played in team history while 246 yards away from passing DeSean Jackson for third all-time.
In terms of league history, Ertz currently ranks eighth all-time with his 8,592 receiving yards amongst NFL tight ends and is 92 yards away from moving into seventh all-time, passing Greg Olsen.
Expectations are tempered for Ertz who suffered a gruesome ACL injury with Washington last season. But returning to the team and city he has such devotion for certainly will provide him a boost as the Eagles wait for his original replacement to return from injury.
