The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing back veteran tight end Zach Ertz, adding one of the franchise’s most accomplished pass-catchers to the practice squad as the team adjusts to Dallas Goedert’s MCL sprain.
NFL.com and Reuters reported Monday night that Philadelphia is reuniting with Ertz after Goedert was diagnosed with a sprained MCL and was expected to miss multiple weeks. The move gives the Eagles an experienced option at a position that has become thin quickly, but Ertz’s placement on the practice squad also gives Philadelphia flexibility while determining how soon he is ready for game action.
What changed for the Eagles at tight end
The immediate trigger is Goedert’s injury. Earlier Monday, the Eagles received the more specific diagnosis that their starting tight end had suffered an MCL sprain in the Week 2 win over Tennessee and is expected to be unavailable for multiple weeks. FSN covered that diagnosis and the depth problem it created for Philadelphia.
Rather than wait for the existing depth chart to absorb the loss, the Eagles moved quickly to add a veteran who already knows the organization and much of what is expected from the position in Philadelphia.
According to PhillyVoice, rookie Eli Stowers and Grant Calcaterra are also on injured reserve, leaving the Eagles short on established healthy tight ends. That makes Ertz more than a nostalgia signing: he arrives at a position where Philadelphia needs functional depth now.
Why Zach Ertz makes sense for Philadelphia
Ertz spent his first eight-plus NFL seasons with the Eagles after the club selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft. He became a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was one of the defining players of Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LII championship run.
His familiarity with the franchise does not mean he can simply step into Goedert’s full workload. Ertz is returning after a knee injury ended his 2025 season, and the practice-squad designation gives the Eagles a way to evaluate his conditioning and readiness before committing an active-roster spot.
Still, the fit is obvious. Ertz has extensive experience working in-line, from the slot and as a middle-of-the-field target. Even if Philadelphia uses him in a reduced role initially, he can give the offense a veteran receiving option while the coaching staff redistributes Goedert’s blocking and route responsibilities.
A familiar player returns to a changed offense
The Eagles offense has evolved considerably since Ertz’s first stint in Philadelphia. Jalen Hurts is now the established quarterback, the receiver room is built differently, and the offense has been reshaped around a new mix of personnel. FSN examined that broader offensive transition before the season.
Ertz therefore is not returning to recreate his old role. The more realistic question is whether his route-running, hands and experience can stabilize a tight end room that suddenly has to replace Goedert’s snaps on short notice.
The franchise-record angle adds another layer
Ertz also returns within reach of a notable Eagles record. Reuters reported that he has 579 receptions as an Eagle. Harold Carmichael holds the franchise record with 589, meaning Ertz would move past Carmichael with 11 more catches in an Eagles uniform.
That record chase is secondary to the roster need, but it adds significance to a reunion that already carries substantial franchise history.
What happens next
The key question is how quickly Ertz can move from the practice squad into a game-day role. Reports indicate Philadelphia could elevate him as soon as Week 3, but the team will first have to judge his health, conditioning and command of the current offense.
The Eagles also must decide whether Goedert’s recovery timeline warrants an injured-reserve move. Until then, Ertz gives Philadelphia another option without forcing an immediate long-term roster decision.
What to watch
Watch for Ertz’s first practice participation, whether Philadelphia elevates or signs him to the 53-man roster, and how the Eagles divide tight end snaps while Goedert is sidelined. The reunion is notable because of Ertz’s history in Philadelphia, but its immediate value is much simpler: the Eagles needed help at tight end, and they turned to a player they already know well.