Lions Signing TE Zach Ertz to Practice Squad Ahead of NFC Championship, per Report

The three-time Pro Bowler has been a free agent since Nov. 30.

Former Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz is joining the Detroit Lions’ practice squad ahead of the team’s NFC championship game vs. the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.

The Lions lost their No. 2 tight end Brock Wright with a forearm injury during Sunday’s 31–23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which opened a spot up for Ertz to join the squad. 

Ertz has had an eventful past couple months. On Oct. 24, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a quad injury. Then, on Nov. 30, it was reported that Ertz requested to be released by the Cardinals so he could hit free agency and “sign with a contender.” The Lions weren’t originally seen as one of Ertz’s top landing spots.

Three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz is signing with the #Lions, per sources.

Ertz will start out on the practice squad, with plans to potentially elevate him for the NFC Championship Game. A boost for the final stretch. pic.twitter.com/0vaDCwUvQu

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 22, 2024

It helps that Ertz’s former Cardinals tight end coach Steve Heiden now works with the Lions. Pelissero added that this could “get [Ertz] up to speed quickly.”

Ertz has already played on a Super Bowl-winning team as he was part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ championship team during the 2017 season.

The three-time Pro Bowler totaled 187 yards and one touchdown in seven games during the 2023 season.