Does Commanders’ roster move indicate Zach Ertz will be unavailable vs. Eagles?

The Commanders made a roster move on Tuesday.

The Washington Commanders used their off day to make a roster move. Washington placed second-year running back/wide receiver Kazmeir Allen on injured reserve. Allen is a member of the Commanders’ practice squad.

General manager Adam Peters wasted no time replacing Allen’s spot on the practice squad, signing tight end Tyree Jackson.

Who is Jackson?

The 27-year-old, 6-foot-7, 250-pound Jackson played collegiately at Buffalo and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019. The Bills waived Jackson during final cuts, and he was selected in the XFL draft in October 2019. In 2020, he served as Cardale Jones’ backup for the D.C. Defenders until the league suspended operations.

He signed with the Eagles in 2021 and transitioned to tight end. After two years with the Eagles, he was waived and the Giants signed him to the practice squad.

Jackson has appeared in 16 NFL games, catching three passes for 22 yards and a touchdown.

While Jackson was signed to the practice squad, the Commanders could elevate him to the 53-man roster before Sunday’s game against the Eagles. Why? Starting tight end Zach Ertz suffered a concussion in Sunday’s win over the Saints. That means Ertz will remain in the NFL’s concussion protocol until cleared.

Washington will turn to John Bates and rookie Ben Sinnott if Ertz is out next week. Bates and Sinnott have played a lot this season but haven’t been as involved in the passing game as Ertz.