Zach Ertz Won't Play in NFC Championship Game

Former Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz won't be playing this weekend.

ARIZONA -- Former Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz finally settled on a new team this past week after signing to the Detroit Lions' practice squad. 

Though it was a short turnaround for Ertz to learn the playbook enough to contribute for the Lions, there was some hope Ertz could potentially make himself available for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.

That's not going to happen.

From ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Twitter/X:

"The #Lions are not activating Zach Ertz off the practice squad for Sunday’s NFC title game, per source. Ertz worked hard all week to get ready but team will hold him out."

The #Lions are not activating Zach Ertz off the practice squad for Sunday’s NFC title game, per source. Ertz worked hard all week to get ready but team will hold him out.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 27, 2024

Ertz requested to be released from Arizona towards the end of the regular season in hopes of joining a squad that could compete for a Super Bowl. The Cardinals - already watching Trey McBride ascend as their new TE1 - complied with the wish. 

Ertz worked his way back from season-ending knee surgery last year and got off to a strong start to the 2023 campaign despite Kyler Murray not being under center. 

Yet after Ertz suffered a quad injury that landed him on injured reserve, McBride took full advantage of his starting opportunity and never looked back. 

Ertz had 27 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown in the regular season.