Eagles Reunite with Zach Ertz After Dallas Goedert Injury
Ertz Returns to Philadelphia on Practice Squad Deal
The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing back tight end Zach Ertz, signing him to their practice squad following a season-ending MCL sprain to starter Dallas Goedert, according to multiple reports. The move, first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, comes less than 24 hours after Goedert exited Sunday's 24-20 win over the Tennessee Titans with a knee injury that is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks. Ertz, 35, is expected to be activated to the active roster as soon as Week 3, per the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane.
The reunion marks a dramatic full-circle moment for the Eagles and their 2013 second-round draft pick. Ertz spent eight-plus seasons in Philadelphia from 2013 to 2021, earning three Pro Bowl selections and catching the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII. He was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 amid a contract stalemate, then spent the past two seasons with the Washington Commanders. Now, nearly five years after his departure, he returns to the team that drafted him.
Context: A Tight End Room in Crisis
Goedert's Injury Exposes Lack of Depth
Philadelphia's tight end situation reached a breaking point in Week 2. Goedert, the team's No. 1 tight end and a favorite red-zone target of quarterback Jalen Hurts, suffered the MCL sprain before halftime against Tennessee. He had already been limited to one catch before exiting. The Eagles had prepared for such a scenario by drafting rookie Eli Stowers in the second round, but Stowers was placed on injured reserve before Week 1 due to hamstring and quad issues and is out until at least Week 5. Grant Calcaterra, another depth option, landed on IR at the end of training camp.
That left Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins as the only healthy tight ends on the roster. Against the Titans, the results were predictable: Mundt played 46 of 72 snaps but managed just two catches for 8 yards, while Jenkins played 23 snaps and was not targeted once. The run game also suffered, with Saquon Barkley limited to four carries due to a stinger as Philadelphia tallied just 89 yards on 32 carries (2.8 yards per attempt). The Eagles escaped with a win thanks to a last-minute Hurts touchdown drive, but the offensive limitations were glaring.
Ertz's Career and Comeback
Ertz, who turned 35 in November, last played for Washington in 2025, recording 50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns in 13 starts before sustaining a season-ending ACL tear in December. He received full medical clearance in early August and had expressed interest in continuing his career, even doing some television work for ESPN in the meantime. His return to Philadelphia carries historic significance: Ertz has 579 career receptions for the Eagles, just 10 behind Hall of Fame wide receiver Harold Carmichael's franchise record of 589. He is expected to surpass that mark in the coming weeks, cementing his legacy as one of the most prolific pass catchers in team history.
Perspective: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Reunion
What Ertz Brings to a 2-0 Eagles Team
From a football perspective, the signing is a pragmatic move for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Ertz has remained a consistent red-zone threat throughout his career, regardless of the overall effectiveness of the offenses he has played in. His familiarity with the Eagles' organization — and with head coach Nick Sirianni, who was on staff during Ertz's first stint — should ease his transition. The practice squad designation gives Philadelphia roster flexibility while Ertz gets up to speed, but his activation for Week 3 against the Rams appears likely. The reunion also has emotional resonance: Ertz has spoken openly about his affection for Philadelphia and its fans, and this allows him to finish his career where it began. For a team that just survived a scare against a bad Titans squad, adding a proven veteran with something to prove could be exactly what the tight end room needs.
Broader Implications
The move reflects a growing trend in the NFL: teams turning to veteran free agents to patch injury-depleted position groups rather than relying on unproven depth. It also raises questions about Goedert's long-term durability. The 31-year-old has a history of injury absences, and the Eagles chose to extend him over Ertz in 2021. With Goedert expected to miss multiple weeks, Ertz has an opportunity to prove he can still contribute at a high level — and perhaps earn a longer stay in Philadelphia. For now, the Eagles are 2-0 and have addressed their most pressing need with a familiar face. Whether the reunion yields more than nostalgia will depend on how quickly Ertz can shake off the rust after nearly a year away from the game.
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