The NFL season is nearing its end, but we aren’t there yet. First up is Conference Championship Sunday. For the NFC’s side of things, the Detroit Lions will travel and face the San Francisco 49ers for a trip to the Super Bowl.
For the Lions, they’re going to need a strong showing from their offense. With the Lions adding him recently, will Zach Ertz play on Championship Sunday?
Is Zach Ertz Playing Against the San Francisco 49ers?
Ertz spent most of 2023 with the Arizona Cardinals, where he’d been since 2021. However, he requested a release from the team, reported first by former Cardinal and future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt.
After his release was granted, Ertz went unsigned for the rest of the regular season. He signed with the Lions’ practice squad on Jan. 22, 2024, following an injury to Detroit’s Brock Wright.
Despite joining the Lions recently, Ertz will not be activated from the practice squad for the NFC Championship Game. “The Lions are not activating Zach Ertz off the practice squad for Sunday’s NFC title game,” said Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. “Ertz worked hard all week to get ready but the team will hold him out.”
If he is to play this season, the Lions will need to defeat the 49ers and advance to the Super Bowl. Even if Ertz was to play, he would still back up starting tight end Sam LaPorta.
In 2023, Ertz played in seven games, catching 27 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown. However, he’s had a memorable career. In his career, he caught 709 passes for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Ertz spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013-2021. In his time there, he made three Pro Bowls and was a part of the Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl LII. He also set the NFL record for most receptions in a season by a tight end with 116 in 2018.
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Instead of activating Ertz, the Lions used their two elevations for fullback Jason Cabinda and offensive lineman Michael Schofield. Schofield’s promotion was expected, as the Lions’ offensive line has undergone multiple injuries in recent weeks, specifically with guard Jonah Jackson having just undergone meniscus surgery.
The NFC Championship will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. It will stream on Fox with Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen on the call. The game will come shortly after the end of the AFC Championship Game.
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