Veteran tight end Zach Ertz signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Washington Commanders on Saturday. The deal includes up to $9 million in incentives. Ertz returns to the Commanders after a productive season in 2024 as quarterback Jayden Daniels' safety valve, owning 18% of Washington's target share. The three-time Pro Bowler caught 66 of 91 targets for 674 yards and seven touchdowns over 17 games. It was the first time since 2018 that Ertz played an entire season. With the emergence of Dyami Brown in the postseason and the Commanders trading for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. in March, Ertz will have more competition for targets in 2025. Despite competing for targets with Terry McLaurin, Samuel, and Brown, Ertz remains a decent fantasy option at the tight end position. As Daniels' primary middle-of-the-field option, Ertz is a high-end TE2 heading into early best-ball drafts.
Per Grant Gordon of NFL.com, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz told reporters on Monday that he still intends to play football in 2025. "I still want to play football next year," said Ertz. "I just want to make that clear that I'm not retiring." The 34-year-old was a valuable safety valve for rookie QB Jayden Daniels this season and had one of his better campaigns in recent memory. Ertz went on to say he felt rejuvenated this year and believes he can still get better. He also made it clear that he'd like to play in Washington again in 2025 if they'll have him. Whether that's the case remains to be seen, but he's undoubtedly played himself into another contract and still has the drive to play.
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz caught 11 of his 16 targets for 104 yards during their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. Ertz's 16 targets were the most on the team and nine more than the top wideout, Terry McLaurin. With the Commanders losing throughout most of the game, they relied on their passing attack to attempt to keep up with the Eagles. The veteran tight end was Jayden Daniels' go-to option all afternoon, especially on fourth downs. Last weekend, during their upset victory over the Detroit Lions, Ertz caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and a score. Throughout his debut season in Washington, Ertz was a key weapon in the Washington pass attack. Across 17 regular season contests, the 34-year-old tallied 654 yards and seven scores on 66 receptions.
Zach Ertz Carries Low-End TE1 Value On Championship Sunday
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib) is off the injury report and good to go for Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz opened the week as a non-participant but logged two consecutive full sessions on Thursday and Friday. Last weekend, in their upset victory over the Detroit Lions, Ertz caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and a score. This was a nice bounce back following his two-catch, 23-yard showing in the wild-card round. Since Week 11, the 34-year-old has been a force in the red zone, catching seven TDs across this nine-game stretch. DFS players should view Ertz as a touchdown-dependent TE1 this weekend, as he does all of his damage in the red zone.
Zach Ertz Upgrades To Full Participation On Thursday
According to the team, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib) was upgraded to full participation during Thursday's practice. This is a great sign, as Ertz did not participate during Wednesday's session. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status on Friday in case he faces a setback, but he should be in a position to be a full go for Sunday's conference championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. In last weekend's victory over the Detroit Lions, Ertz caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and a score. Over his past nine contests, the veteran tight end has found the back of the end zone seven times and seen 5.1 targets per game. During this stretch, the 34-year-old has seen nine targets within the five-yard line and has become Jayden Daniels' go-to option in the red zone. He carries low-end TE1 value in DFS formats this weekend.
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib, rest) was listed as a non-participant on the team's practice report on Wednesday. Ertz was also listed as a DNP last Tuesday before being limited on Wednesday and full on Thursday. The 34-year-old veteran was active in the Divisional Round win over the Detroit Lions last Saturday night and caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and his fourth touchdown in the last four games. As long as he's able to return to practice later this week, Ertz should be on the field this Sunday in Philadelphia for the NFC Championship against the division-rival Eagles. In the most recent meeting against Philly on Dec. 22, Ertz had only one catch on two targets for 12 yards, but in the first meeting on Nov. 14, he caught six of seven targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. Consider him a touchdown-dependent TE play in DFS lineups this weekend.
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and a score during their victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Ertz left the game briefly in the first half while being evaluated for a concussion. However, shortly after returning, Ertz would find the back of the end zone on a five-yard strike from Jayden Daniels. This was a nice bounce back showing for the veteran tight end as he caught just two passes for 23 yards during their wild-card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During the final seven weeks of the regular season, Ertz tallied an impressive six touchdowns. Despite his low-yardage outputs, the 34-year-old remains a solid TE1, given his usage in the red zone.
According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) returned to Saturday's game against the Detroit Lions. Ertz left earlier in the first half and was being evaluated for a concussion. However, the veteran tight end was able to pass protocol. Before exiting, Ertz caught both of his targets for 13 yards. He will continue to see a starting role in the offense for the remainder of the game.
According to the team, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) is questionable to return to Saturday's Divisional Round playoff game against the Detroit Lions. The veteran tight end sustained a hard hit in the second quarter and is being evaluated for a concussion. Before exiting, Ertz caught both of his targets for 13 yards. While sidelined, John Bates should have a starting role in the offense.
Zach Ertz Off The Injury Report, Carries Low-End TE1 Upside In Divisional Round
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib) is off the injury report and should be viewed as a low-end TE1 in DFS formats this weekend, facing the Detroit Lions. Ertz opened the week as a non-participant but was able to upgrade each day, ending the week with a full session on Thursday. Last weekend, during their upset victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ertz took the backseat as he caught just two of his four targets for 23 yards. However, Ertz scored three touchdowns during Weeks 17 and 18 and caught 11 of his 12 targets. Overall, the 34-year-old has enjoyed a nice debut campaign in the DMV as he has found the back of the end zone seven times and averaged 38.5 yards during 17 regular season games. Given the projected high-scoring affair on Saturday evening, Ertz should enjoy a nice bounce back despite the Lions allowing the fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends.
Zach Ertz
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Commanders
