Zach

Ertz

The 35-year-old was injured in early December. Ertz had already become a catch-and-fall specialist even before his injury, but he has maintained a route-running savvy and strong pair of hands. His injury timeline makes him a tricky bet early in free agency, perhaps making it more likely he holds out for more guaranteed money on the eve of training camp. By then, teams will have a better idea of his health, as well as their own needs.

Likely, an unrestricted free agent, could see interest from multiple teams this spring, including the Commanders, who are likely to move on from veteran TE Zach Ertz after his catastrophic knee injury in 2025. “Likely would bring more upside with his catch-and-run ability. A move player in the formation, Likely would also be schemed to create underneath one-on-ones,” Bowen said. In his four seasons with the Ravens, Likely popped off a few times in a run-heavy offense, usually when Mark Andrews was sidelined. Likely since the start of the 2024 season ranks fourth among all tight ends in ESPN’s open score, which measures a player’s ability to separate from defenders. He would be an intriguing fantasy option as an every-down player in Washington.

Ertz’s 2025 season is over after a Week 14 cheap shot resulted in a torn ACL for the 35-year-old veteran. He ends the season with 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns. Ertz was tenth among tight ends in catches and 12th in yardage before the injury. John Bates will likely operate as Washington’s TE1 for now, though Ben Sinnott could mix in as the Commanders play out the rest of their lost season. Neither Bates nor Sinnott should be played in 12-team leagues.

At a minimum, this is a season-ending injury for Ertz. At worst, it’s a career-ending injury for the 35-year-old tight end who has played 13 seasons and now suffered two devastating knee injuries in his career. Ertz re-upped with the Commanders on a one-year, $6.25 million deal this offseason after a bounce-back 2024 campaign in which he went for 66-654-7. Ertz continued to be a reliable safety blanket in the passing game for the 3-10 Commanders, posting a steady 5-504-4 line this season while going for 50-plus yards in three games. He’ll enter 2026 as a free agent, and may need to prove he’s fully healed in the offseason before signing a one-year contract with the Commanders or another team.

This news should come as no surprise to anybody who saw a video of the injury. Ertz’s leg bent in an unnatural direction after he was hit by safety Jay Ward in the third quarter, and the veteran tight end needed help to get to the sideline before being carted to the locker room. A torn ACL would mark the end of the season for Ertz, who is already in the twilight of his 13-year career. Ertz entered the day with 49 receptions for 493 yards and four touchdowns. Backup John Bates would be next in line for snaps in Ertz’s absence.

It’s safe to say Ertz’s day is over after the veteran receiver suffered a devastating knee injury in the third quarter. Ertz, who caught one pass for 11 yards in Sunday’s game, could be seen in tears while being carted away. The 35-year-old is likely looking at a long-term injury that could prove to be a season-ender.

Ertz attempted to make a leaping grab, only to have his legs taken out by safety Jay Ward. Ertz remained down on the field for several minutes while having his right knee tended to, and was unable to put any weight on it while being assisted to the sidelines. It was a bad looking injury that is likely to sideline him for the remainder of the game and perhaps longer. If his day is over, Ertz will finish with a 1-11-0 line on two targets.

Ertz was one of the primary beneficiaries of a career-high 50 pass attempts from veteran backup Marcus Mariota, reeling in a season-high 10 balls in the process. His fantasy night could have been even bigger had he corralled a four-yard pass on third-and-goal in overtime, which nearly cost the team a chance at completing the comeback. Mariota would find Terry McLaurin on a pick-slant on the next play but a failed fourth-down attempt sent the Commanders to their seventh consecutive loss. Ertz remains a steady, yet unspectacular, contributor in Washington’s offense and fantasy managers can continue starting him in PPR formats.

Ertz nearly came down with two separate touchdowns in this game. The first was a deep shot from Marcus Mariota that fell just out of his reach. The second was an on-target look at the goal line, but Ertz slipped coming out of his break and couldn’t bring down the throw. A catch on either play could have changed the outcome of this game. Ertz is seeing plenty of work in the absence of Terry McLaurin, though his ceiling is crushed with Jayden Daniels out of the lineup. He is nothing more than a volume-based TE2 heading into Washington’s bye.

Ertz delivers the prototypical tight end receiving line in this one, with his lone incomplete target sailing far over his head via a downfield opportunity on the Commanders’ first drive. Fill-in starting QB Marcus Mariota may have simply been trying for a defensive pass interference call. Ertz remains a TE1 against the Dolphins in Week 11.