NFL
Detroit Lions sign TE Zach Ertz for Conference Championship game: NFL career, stats, teams...
Amidst concerns over the tight end injury situation in Detroit, the Lions have signed three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz to the practice squad.
As they head into the first NFC Championship game appearance for the franchise in over three decades, the Lions are bolstering their chances at the last moment.
After losing tight end Brock Wright to a broken forearm and with rookie Sam LaPorta just back from a knee injury, Detroit have decided to take no chances with their dinged up offense.
The Lions have signed three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz to the practice squad, with a chance to be elevated for the NFC Championship game in San Francisco.
The 33-year-old requested a release from Arizona in late November after returning from a quad injury. With 11 years in the NFL between the Cardinals and Eagles, Ertz has 709 career receptions for 7434 total yards. He averages 10.5 yards per reception and has notched up 46 touchdowns.
The Lions have tight end James Mitchell on injured reserve and have elevated Anthony Firkser to the active roster as rookie Sam LaPorta battles through a knee injury.
With this injury-laden roster, the Lions needed to find some depth at the tight end position and adding a proven veteran is just about as good as they could have hoped for.
Ertz will now reunite with former Cardinals tight ends coach Steve Heiden in Detroit, which should be a boon for getting him up to speed ahead of the NFC Championship game.