Zach Ertz: I never wanted to leave Philadelphia, glad to be back to my favorite place

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Zach Ertz: I never wanted to leave Philadelphia, glad to be back to my favorite place

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Veteran tight end Zach Ertz has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, providing immediate depth following injuries to Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Eli Stowers. Entering his fourteenth National Football League season after stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders, Ertz expressed enthusiasm about returning to the franchise where he achieved his greatest success. While recovering from a major knee injury sustained during his time in Washington, Ertz enters the roster sitting eleven catches shy of surpassing Harold Carmichael for the most receptions in franchise history. Head coach Nick Sirianni and the organization evaluated the tight end's availability amidst mounting offensive personnel concerns. Analysts note that expectations remain tempered regarding his on-field workload given his age and recent medical history. The veteran player maintains that he never originally wanted to leave Philadelphia, setting the stage for a potential career conclusion with the NFC East organization.

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Veteran tight end Zach Ertz has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, providing immediate depth following injuries to Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Eli Stowers. Entering his fourteenth National Football League season after stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders, Ertz expressed enthusiasm about returning to the franchise where he achieved his greatest success. While recovering from a major knee injury sustained during his time in Washington, Ertz enters the roster sitting eleven catches shy of surpassing Harold Carmichael for the most receptions in franchise history. Head coach Nick Sirianni and the organization evaluated the tight end's availability amidst mounting offensive personnel concerns. Analysts note that expectations remain tempered regarding his on-field workload given his age and recent medical history. The veteran player maintains that he never originally wanted to leave Philadelphia, setting the stage for a potential career conclusion with the NFC East organization.

Published 2026-09-25 09:21:24 UTC · Published by JQJO

Prepared by Ayesha A. · AI assisted

More context

Timeline

On October 15, 2013, Zach Ertz recorded his first career NFL reception.
On February 4, 2018, Zach Ertz caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII.
On October 15, 2021, the Philadelphia Eagles traded Zach Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals.
On March 9, 2022, Zach Ertz signed a three-year contract extension with Arizona.
On November 30, 2023, the Arizona Cardinals released tight end Zach Ertz at his request.
On January 22, 2024, Zach Ertz signed a contract with the Washington Commanders.
On September 10, 2024, Zach Ertz debuted for Washington in the regular season opener.
On January 5, 2026, Zach Ertz completed his final regular season appearance with Washington.
On September 22, 2026, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert suffered an MCL sprain.
On September 24, 2026, Zach Ertz signed with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.
Expected in coming weeks, Zach Ertz will elevate from the practice squad to active rosters.
Expected later this season, Zach Ertz will pursue franchise reception records in Philadelphia.

Why it matters

Immediate US impact: Philadelphia addresses roster depth challenges following multiple tight end injuries. Possible long-term US impact: Franchise reception records could shift before the conclusion of the season. Most affected groups: Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff, team management, and passionate local fanbases. Reader priority: Verified updates from official team announcements and authorized league transactions.

Coverage notes

Left: Focuses on player empowerment, personal agency, and overcoming career adversity. Center: Emphasizes roster mechanics, injury replacements, and statistical milestone tracking. Right: Highlights traditional values, veteran leadership, and hard work ethics.