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Eagles Face Tough Decision With Zach Ertz After Practice Squad Elevation Limit
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- Eagles Face Tough Decision With Zach Ertz After Practice Squad Elevation Limit
The Philadelphia Eagles' season has already delivered its fair share of emotional highs and lows, from brutal injuries and exhilarating wins to gut-wrenching losses and Lane Johnson's sudden retirement . The return of franchise legend Zach Ertz has added another compelling storyline, but following the matchup in Jacksonville, he reached his practice squad elevation limit, leaving the Eagles with a pressing question: Is there a spot for him on the 53-man roster?
Ertz spent nine seasons in Philadelphia after being selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, earning three Pro Bowl selections along the way. His most successful season came in 2018, when he set a then-NFL record for tight ends with 116 receptions for 1,163 yards and helped the Eagles capture their first Super Bowl title by catching a go-ahead touchdown in Super Bowl LII.
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As Ertz entered the elder stages of his career, Philadelphia traded Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021. He remained a productive passing threat during his time away, most recently serving as a reliable target for division rival Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.
Ertz was brought back to Philadelphia to provide a receiving threat in a depleted tight end room while Dallas Goedert recovered from a strained MCL. While seeing Ertz back in Midnight Green has been a welcome sight for Eagles fans, his on-field production has left much to be desired. Through three games, Ertz has recorded just three receptions and a catch rate below 40%, while being a negative as a blocker in the run game.
With Goedert back from injury, Ertz's role is expected to diminish, a trend already evident in last week's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His share of offensive snaps dropped from 21% to just 11%.
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If Will Shipley, who is now expected to miss several weeks with a partial tear of his plantar fascia, is placed on injured reserve, it would open up a roster spot if the Eagles want to sign Ertz to the active roster.
Not signing Ertz doesn't mean he has to be cut. He can remain on the practice squad, continuing to train and stay ready in case an opportunity comes down the line. However, another team could offer him a spot on its active roster and poach him from Philadelphia, potentially ruining his fairy-tale ending in the City of Brotherly Love.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
