Zach Ertz is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles nearly five years after the franchise traded away one of the most accomplished tight ends in team history.
The reunion is not ceremonial. Ertz is coming back to play. Philadelphia is adding the veteran tight end to its practice squad after an injury to starter Dallas Goedert left the Eagles suddenly thin at the position. Ertz is expected to have an opportunity to play quickly, potentially as soon as the Eagles’ Week 3 Monday night game against the Chicago Bears.
The move also gives Ertz a chance to finish some unfinished business in Philadelphia. The Super Bowl LII champion is within striking distance of the Eagles’ all-time receptions record and could potentially break it during his second stint with the team.
Why Did Zach Ertz Return To The Eagles?
The Eagles brought Ertz back primarily because of injuries at tight end.
Starting tight end Dallas Goedert suffered a sprained MCL during Philadelphia’s Week 2 victory over the Tennessee Titans and is expected to miss multiple weeks. The Eagles are also dealing with injuries to other players at the position, leaving the team in immediate need of an experienced pass catcher. [ESPN] [Reuters]
Rookie tight end Eli Stowers is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, while Grant Calcaterra is also on injured reserve. That left Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins as the healthy tight ends on Philadelphia’s active roster when the Eagles moved to bring Ertz back. [CBS Sports]
Did The Eagles Sign Zach Ertz?
Yes. Ertz is returning initially as a member of the Eagles’ practice squad.
ESPN reported that Philadelphia agreed to bring the three-time Pro Bowler back Monday, September 21. NFL.com subsequently reported the reunion as the Eagles addressed the injuries in their tight end room. [ESPN] [NFL]
Ertz arrived in Philadelphia Tuesday morning and said he was “honored” to be back in Eagles green. [NBC Sports Philadelphia]
Is Zach Ertz Retiring As An Eagle?
No. This is a playing return, not a one-day retirement contract.
Ertz remained a free agent entering the 2026 season after suffering a serious knee injury with the Washington Commanders late in 2025. Instead of retiring, he continued preparing for another NFL season.
Philadelphia is now bringing him back as an active football player, beginning with the practice squad and with the expectation that he could contribute to the offense. [NFL]
Will Zach Ertz Play Against The Bears?
There is a strong possibility.
Multiple reports indicate that Ertz is expected to be available for Philadelphia’s Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears on Monday, September 28. The Eagles can elevate him from the practice squad for the game or move him onto the active roster. [Reuters] [CBS Sports]
Philadelphia has not announced exactly how large Ertz’s offensive role would be if he plays.
The Eagles and Bears are scheduled to meet at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. Eastern. [Eagles]
Is Zach Ertz Healthy?
Ertz is returning from a torn ACL in his right knee suffered while playing for Washington in December 2025.
The injury occurred during the Commanders’ Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and ended Ertz’s season. Washington coach Dan Quinn subsequently confirmed the ACL tear. [Reuters]
NFL.com described Ertz as healthy upon his return to Philadelphia. He had spent the offseason rehabilitating the knee while remaining unsigned. [NFL]
Because Ertz is returning from a major knee injury at age 35, how much he can handle immediately remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the reunion.
How Did Zach Ertz Play Before His ACL Injury?
Ertz was still a productive NFL receiver before suffering the injury.
In 13 games for Washington during the 2025 season, he caught 50 passes for 504 yards and four touchdowns. His season ended when he tore his ACL against Minnesota in December. [AP/CBS Philadelphia]
That production helps explain why the Eagles see Ertz as more than simply a familiar veteran brought back for sentimental reasons. If healthy, he gives quarterback Jalen Hurts an experienced receiving option while Goedert recovers.
Will Zach Ertz Replace Dallas Goedert?
Ertz is being brought in because Goedert is injured, but that does not necessarily mean he will simply assume Goedert’s entire role.
Goedert has been Philadelphia’s starting tight end for years and remains the starter when healthy. The Eagles could use Ertz alongside Mundt, Jenkins and their other available tight ends while Goedert recovers.
Goedert is expected to miss several weeks rather than the remainder of the season, making Ertz an experienced short-term solution who could potentially remain part of the offense even after Goedert returns. [ESPN]
When Did Zach Ertz Last Play For The Eagles?
Ertz last played for Philadelphia during the 2021 season.
The Eagles selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He spent eight-plus seasons with Philadelphia before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in October 2021.
Philadelphia received cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round draft pick in the trade. [Eagles]
Ertz later played for Arizona and then spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with Washington.
What Did Zach Ertz Accomplish With The Eagles?
Ertz became one of the most productive tight ends in Eagles history during his first run in Philadelphia.
He recorded 579 receptions, 6,267 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns as an Eagle and was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017 through 2019. [NFL]
His most famous catch came in Super Bowl LII.
With Philadelphia trailing New England in the fourth quarter, Nick Foles found Ertz for an 11-yard touchdown. Ertz dove across the goal line for what became the go-ahead score in the Eagles’ 41-33 victory over the Patriots.
The win delivered Philadelphia the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
What Eagles Record Can Zach Ertz Break?
Ertz could become the Eagles’ all-time leader in receptions during his return.
Hall of Fame receiver Harold Carmichael currently holds the franchise record with 589 catches. Ertz has 579 receptions as an Eagle. [NFL]
That means:
- Ertz needs 10 catches to tie Carmichael at 589.
- Ertz needs 11 catches to pass Carmichael and become the franchise leader with 590.
The record chase gives Ertz’s return another layer beyond Philadelphia’s immediate injury problems.
How Good Was Zach Ertz At His Peak?
Ertz produced one of the greatest receiving seasons ever by an NFL tight end in 2018.
He caught 116 passes that season, establishing what was then the NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end. He finished the year with 1,163 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Across his NFL career entering his return to Philadelphia, Ertz has 825 catches for 8,592 yards and 57 touchdowns. [Reuters]
Why Is The Zach Ertz Return A Big Deal For Eagles Fans?
Ertz’s return combines an immediate football need with one of the more recognizable homecomings in recent Eagles history.
He was a major part of the team that delivered Philadelphia its first Super Bowl championship, played some of the best football of his career with the Eagles and remained closely associated with the franchise even after being traded.
Now he has an opportunity to help an Eagles team dealing with injuries, potentially finish his career in Philadelphia and break one of the franchise’s most significant receiving records.
What Is The Latest Zach Ertz Eagles Update?
As of the morning of September 22, 2026:
- Zach Ertz is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles.
- He is joining the team initially on the practice squad.
- The move follows Dallas Goedert’s MCL sprain.
- Goedert is expected to miss multiple weeks.
- Ertz is returning from the torn ACL he suffered with Washington in December 2025.
- He could play against the Chicago Bears on September 28.
- He is 10 catches from tying Harold Carmichael’s Eagles record and 11 catches from breaking it.
Zach Ertz Eagles Return FAQ
Is Zach Ertz back with the Eagles?
Yes. Philadelphia is bringing Ertz back on its practice squad after Dallas Goedert suffered a sprained MCL. [NFL]
Is Zach Ertz coming back to play or retire?
He is returning to play. This is not merely a ceremonial one-day contract to retire as an Eagle.
Why did the Eagles bring Zach Ertz back?
The immediate reason is Philadelphia’s shortage of healthy tight ends. Goedert is expected to miss multiple weeks, while Eli Stowers and Grant Calcaterra are also on injured reserve. [ESPN]
When will Zach Ertz play?
Reports indicate Ertz could be available for the Eagles’ September 28 Monday night game against the Chicago Bears. [Reuters]
What number did Zach Ertz wear for the Eagles?
Ertz became synonymous with No. 86 during his first stint in Philadelphia.
How close is Zach Ertz to the Eagles receptions record?
Ertz has 579 catches as an Eagle. Harold Carmichael holds the franchise record with 589, meaning Ertz needs 10 receptions to tie the record and 11 to break it. [NFL]
What injury did Zach Ertz have?
Ertz tore the ACL in his right knee while playing for the Washington Commanders in December 2025. The injury ended his season. [Reuters]
Did Zach Ertz win a Super Bowl with Philadelphia?
Yes. Ertz caught the go-ahead touchdown in Philadelphia’s 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, giving the Eagles their first Super Bowl championship.
