Zach Ertz
NFL tight end. Currently unrestricted free agent recovering from ACL injury.
Quick Facts
- Position: TE
- Age: 35
- Status: Free agent (2026 offseason)
- Career: Eagles (2013-2021), Cardinals (2021-2023), Commanders (2024-2025)
Veteran TE (35) recovering from season-ending torn ACL suffered in 2025. As of late June 2026, ~6 months post-surgery, rehabbing with intent to continue playing. Told Philadelphia Inquirer that he didn't want his career to end on the injury, and is "doing everything I can to get back to my best." Recovery timeline unclear, but likely won't be ready for training camp. Any 2026 role would be depth/veteran minimum. Career totals: 825 receptions for 8,592 yards and 57 TDs (per Ex-Commanders TE Zach Ertz Provides Update on NFL Future After Injury).
Ertz suffered his ACL injury one week before Patrick Mahomes' Week 15 tear. The two have become unexpected rehab partners during recovery, exchanging competitive video updates of rehab progress—deadlift numbers, cutting drills, box jumps—maintaining competitive drive through the lengthy recovery process. Ertz was previously coached by Kliff Kingsbury at Arizona and has formed a supportive bond with Mahomes during their parallel recovery journeys (per Patrick Mahomes turned rehab into a competition. No surprise he's winning | Opinion).
If healthy, Ertz fits the profile of experienced veteran depth some playoff contenders seek. Cleveland Browns scout evaluators view him as a "Good Addition" candidate if he can return from ACL recovery, noting his veteran experience (879 career catches) would help tutor emerging talents like Cleveland's rookie Harold Fannin (per Cleveland Browns Free Agency Targets - Tight End).
Injury Status
- 2025: Season-ending torn ACL
- Recovery status (as of 2026-06-27): ~6 months post-surgery, ongoing rehabilitation. No target return date disclosed.
Recent News
- 2026-06-11 — Players To Cut In Dynasty Fantasy Football: Zach Ertz & The Most Dropped Players On... (Players To Cut In Dynasty Fantasy Football: Zach Ertz & The Most Dropped Players On...)
- 2026-03-08 — Commanders depth chart shows focus on younger TE options (Ben Sinnott) as Ertz’s return timeline remains uncertain (Washington Commanders depth chart - updated prior to 2026 free agency negotiating window)
- 2026-04-13 — Former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz talks knee injury, rehab, 2026 plans (Former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz talks knee injury, rehab, 2026 plans)
- 2026-02-24 — Zach Ertz Reportedly Plans to Play in 2026 NFL Season Amid Injury Rehab, Return... (Zach Ertz Reportedly Plans to Play in 2026 NFL Season Amid Injury Rehab, Return...)
- 2026-04-13 — Zach Ertz Open To Eagles Return; TE’s ACL Recovery Ahead Of Schedule - NFL Rumors (Zach Ertz Open To Eagles Return; TE’s ACL Recovery Ahead Of Schedule - NFL Rumors)
- 2026-06-26 — Ex-Commanders TE Zach Ertz Provides Update on NFL Future After Injury (Ex-Commanders TE Zach Ertz Provides Update on NFL Future After Injury)
- 2026-06-27 — Still rehabbing, intends to continue playing but timeline uncertain (Ex-Commanders TE Zach Ertz Provides Update on NFL Future After Injury)
Open Questions
- Will Ertz be healthy enough to sign during preseason, or will he miss 2026 entirely?