The Detroit Lions have signed veteran tight end Zach Ertz to their practice squad.
The addition of Ertz comes just after Lions tight end Brock Wright suffered a forearm injury in Detroit’s 31-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coach Dan Campbell said it didn’t “look good” for Wright’s availability for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, and Ertz could be elevated to the active roster when the Lions face the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
The 33-year-old Ertz spent the first half of the season with the Arizona Cardinals, and totaled 27 catches for 187 yards and a score through seven games. He landed on injured reserve in October because of a quad injury and was released in November. Former teammate J.J. Watt wrote on social media that Ertz requested to be released so he could sign with a contender and “make a run at his 2nd Super Bowl ring.”
Ertz appeared in seven playoff games while with the Philadelphia Eagles and another with the Cardinals. He totaled 36 catches for 381 yards and two scores in those appearances. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz has 709 catches for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns in 11 seasons.
The Lions will take on the 49ers at 6:30 p.m. EST Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
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