Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz suffered fractured ribs in a Week 16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, and while he was able to return to that game, don’t bank on him suiting up against the New York Giants on Sunday.
While Ertz has not officially been ruled in or out — and he won’t be until Friday — Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that the Eagles are learning towards shutting him down in Week 17 due to a concern over him possibly damaging vital organs.
From NFL Now on @nflnetwork: #Eagles TE Zach Ertz came back in the game this past week, so surely he’ll be good to go vs. the #Giants, right? Eh, it’s not that simple. pic.twitter.com/qYThnOI1uU
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 24, 2019
Ertz is one of the toughest players in football and will undoubtedly give it a go if team decisions-makers allow him to, so this may become an instance of Philadelphia protecting the tight end from himself.
However, there’s also the possibility that the Eagles fit Ertz with special rib padding for the game in an effort to limit some of the additional damage taken.
Either way, Ertz will not be 100 percent in Sunday’s must-win game against the Giants, which is good news for New York, who traditionally struggle against tight ends — and Ertz has been no exception.
In 13 career games against the Giants, Ertz has hauled in 70 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. The seven touchdowns are the most he has against any team, while the receptions and yards are second-most against any team (Washington Redskins).
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