Ertz (knee) intends to play in the 2026 season and is expected to be cleared close to Week 1, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ertz suffered a torn ACL in a Week 14 loss to the Vikings on Dec. 7, making it conceivable that he could be healthy for Week 1 of the 2026 season, which will be roughly nine months after his injury. It seems just as plausible, however, that the 35-year-old veteran's rehab could require him to start the 2026 campaign on the PUP list. An impending free agent, Ertz will need to find a new opportunity in the league in addition to managing his return to full health. Across 13 regular-season appearances with the Commanders in 2025, he secured 50 of 72 targets for 504 yards and four scores. Washington general manager Adam Peters said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team will "keep the door open for sure" regarding re-signing Ertz, but noted that "you can't count on anything," per John Keim of ESPN.com.

The Commanders placed Ertz (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ertz will officially miss the remainder of the 2025 season after suffering an ACL tear during Washington's 31-0 loss to the Vikings in Week 14. In his stead, reps at the tight end position are slated to be split between John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff. Ertz is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The 35-year-old tight end racked up 50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns (72 targets) across 13 regular-season appearances in 2025.

Coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday that Ertz suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Vikings.

EDGE Analysis

With Ertz now slated to miss the rest of the season, John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff are in line to handle the Commanders' TE duties down the stretch. Ertz thus finishes his 2025 campaign with 50 catches (on 72 targets) for 504 yards and four TDs in 13 games.

Coach Dan Quinn noted after Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Vikings that Ertz is feared to have torn his ACL, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ertz is destined to undergo further testing to determine the extent of his knee injury, but it looks like the tight end is probably facing an extended absence. If that's the case, the Commanders would turn to John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff to handle their TE duties down the stretch.

Ertz won't return to Sunday's game in Minnesota due to a knee injury.

EDGE Analysis

Ertz took a hit to his knee on a Marcus Mariota incompletion directed his way in the third quarter. After visiting the sideline tent, Ertz was carted to the locker room and ruled out not long afterward. This appears to be a potentially serious injury, but for the time being he'll finish Week 14 with one catch (on two targets) for 11 yards.

Ertz was carted off the field with a lower leg injury in Sunday's game at Minnesota, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ertz was hit hard in his knee area during a tackle and had to be helped off the field. He later left on a cart to the locker room.

Ertz recorded 10 receptions on 13 targets for 106 yards in Sunday's 27-26 overtime loss to the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

Ertz has enjoyed increased production with Marcus Mariota under center, and he led the Commanders in both receptions and yards. In contrast to past weeks, he was used both deep down the field and in short areas, logging long receptions of 21 and 18 yards to help him top 100 receiving yards for the first time since Week 9 of the 2019 campaign. Ertz now has at least four receptions in five consecutive games. While he could be in for a downturn in opportunity moving forward due to the return of Terry McLaurin, Ertz was prioritized ahead of Deebo Samuel for targets in Sunday's loss.

Ertz caught four of eight targets for 42 yards in Sunday's 16-13 overtime loss to the Dolphins.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran tight end tied Deebo Samuel for the team lead in targets, but the wideout did a lot more (7-74-1) with his volume. Ertz was also the intended target on Marcus Mariota's only interception of the afternoon on the first play of OT, setting up Miami's winning field goal. Ertz will head into a Week 12 bye with a 39-387-4 line on 57 targets, and his role in the offense seems secure regardless of whether Mariota or Jayden Daniels (elbow) is under center in Week 13 against the Broncos.

Ertz recorded four receptions on five targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 44-22 loss to the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

Ertz was among Marcus Mariota's favorite targets, tying for the team lead in both targets and receptions while finishing second in yardage. He accounted for most of his production with the Commanders chasing the score, including long catches of 30 and 12 yards. This was Ertz's best performance with Mariota under center, though he'll head into a potentially high-scoring matchup against the Dolphins in Week 11.

Ertz recorded four receptions on four targets for 46 yards in Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Seahawks.

EDGE Analysis

Ertz remained one of Jayden Daniels' (arm) more reliable targets, as he led the team in yards while finishing second in targets and receptions. He logged a pair of receptions on Washington's first possession that went for 17 yards, and he also tallied a long 25-yard catch on the Commanders' opening drive of the second half. Ertz's outlook moving forward is complicated by the likely absence of Daniels, as he has only nine receptions for 78 yards combined across Marcus Mariota's three starts this season.