This story first appeared in The Detroit News.
By Justin Rogers | The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Zach Ertz has arrived in Detroit, but whether the new Lions tight end will be part of the game-day roster for Sunday’s NFC Championship is another question. Coach Dan Campbell said his staff will assess through the week whether the 11-year veteran can get up to speed enough to contribute against the San Francisco 49ers.
“Right now, he just got here,” Campbell said. “I know he’s in shape. I talked to him the other day. He understands we’re just going to gauge this and see where we’re at. He’ll be out here. But look, he’s played, played at a high level, there are things he does well; it’s just a matter of is this the week to use him.”
Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and former Super Bowl champion, has been a free agent since the end of November, when the Arizona Cardinals granted his release. In 11 seasons with the Eagles and Cardinals, he’s racked up 709 receptions for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns.
The production had declined this year for a rebuilding Cardinals team that was missing its starting quarterback much of the season. But in 2022, Ertz had 47 grabs for 406 yards in 10 games, while playing under position coach Steve Heiden, who joined Campbell’s staff in Detroit this past offseason.
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The need to sign Ertz arose after season-ending injuries to James Mitchell and Brock Wright in recent weeks. Mitchell, a fifth-round draft pick a year ago, suffered a hand injury requiring surgery during a practice ahead of the team’s first playoff game against the Rams. Wright, who logged more than 400 offensive snaps this season, suffered a broken forearm in last Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ertz’s experience and connection with Heiden made him a natural choice as a stopgap. And Campbell made it clear last month that the team values having added experienced depth in the locker room for the stretch run after bringing in players such as Bruce Irvin, Michael Schofield, Tyson Alualu since November.
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