BREAKING: Commanders TE Zach Ertz suffers feared right ACL injury in Week 14 blowout
Zach Ertz’s right knee buckled as he reached for a high ball in the third quarter. He went down hard, grabbed at the knee, and pounded the turf. Trainers called for the cart within moments. Ertz fought tears as he left the field, and the silence inside the stadium told the story. This looked serious, and it is. [IMAGE_1]
What happened and where it stands
The injury hit in the third quarter of Washington’s 31 to 0 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. Ertz elevated for a catch, took contact on his extended right leg, and the joint collapsed inward. He was ruled out quickly. Head coach Dan Quinn said the early signs point to a torn right ACL. Ertz is scheduled for an MRI today to confirm.
This is Washington’s eighth straight defeat, and its first shutout since 2019. The scoreboard was ugly. The sight of a 13-year veteran carted off was worse.
Ertz is scheduled for an MRI today to confirm a suspected torn right ACL, according to the team.
Ertz is 35. He tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in 2022. That history matters now. It shapes the medical outlook, the timeline, and the hard questions ahead.
The medical outlook, and why age matters 🩺
If the MRI confirms an ACL tear, the standard recovery target is 9 to 12 months. That is for reconstruction, rehab, and a functional return to football movements. For a 35-year-old tight end, the path is steeper. Strength returns, but explosiveness and snap-to-snap confidence can lag. Prior ligament damage in the other knee adds stress to a veteran frame.
The mechanism of Sunday’s hit raises a second concern. A force to the outside of an extended knee can injure more than the ACL. Meniscus damage is common. Bone injuries, like a tibial plateau issue, are possible with this type of collapse. Only imaging will tell the full story, and those answers come with today’s scan.
A confirmed ACL tear would end Ertz’s 2025 season and could threaten a sizable chunk of 2026.
How Washington adjusts without Ertz
This is a heavy loss for an offense already grinding. Ertz has been a chain mover and a steady third down option. He settles zones, wins with leverage, and gives his quarterback a simple throw when the pocket gets muddy. Through Week 14, he produced roughly 50 catches for about 500 yards and 4 touchdowns. Those are real first downs and red zone touches now off the board.
Expect Washington to pivot to quicker game plans. More slants and screens. More targets to backs. Younger tight ends will see a spike in snaps, but replacing Ertz’s route savvy is not simple. The staff can lean on 11 personnel to add another receiver, but that shifts blocking stress to the tackles and backs. In goal-to-go, this will sting most. Ertz is a trusted option on stick, choice, and box-out fades. Those calls do not feel the same without him. [IMAGE_2]
The locker room impact is just as real. Ertz is a Super Bowl champion, a standard-setter in meetings, and a steady voice on the sideline. Losing that voice during an eight game slide magnifies the blow.
What this means for Ertz’s career
Ertz is one of the most accomplished tight ends of his era. He ranks among the leaders all time in receptions at the position. He built that resume on precision, toughness, and elite hands. He also battled back once already from major knee surgery.
Another ACL, in the other knee, at 35, creates a crossroads. A best case outcome still points to a long rehab, and likely a return that bumps into next season’s back half. The decision will be personal. There is the lure of one more run, and the reality of the work required to get there. Ertz has met moments like this with grit before. Today, the focus is on clarity, then a plan.
What happens next
- MRI today to confirm the full extent of the injury
- Medical staff determines surgical timeline and rehab plan
- Washington weighs a roster move to add a tight end
- Offensive staff adjusts red zone and third down packages
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What injury is feared for Zach Ertz?
A: The team fears a torn right ACL. He left the game and did not return.
Q: When will we know for sure?
A: An MRI is scheduled today. That scan confirms the exact damage.
Q: How long is the recovery for an ACL tear?
A: Typical recovery is 9 to 12 months for reconstruction and rehab.
Q: Who replaces Ertz in the short term?
A: Washington will lean on its younger tight ends and use more three receiver sets. Backs and slot receivers should see more targets.
Q: Can Ertz return at 35 after another major knee injury?
A: It is possible, but difficult. Age and previous knee surgery make the path tougher and the timeline longer.
The Commanders need answers. Ertz needs clarity. The MRI will bring both. For now, Washington faces the rest of December without its veteran tight end, and a season already spiraling just got even darker. When the imaging is in, I will have the update, and what it means for 2026.
