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Lions Signing TE Zach Ertz

Veteran tight end will start on the practice squad.

John Maakaron

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The Detroit Lions are adding a veteran tight end to the locker room after losing Brock Wright for the season. 

Zach Ertz, who last played with the Arizona Cardinals, is signing with the NFC North division champions, and will start out on the practice squad. 

"I thought 'Yode' (Kayode Awosika) stepped up," Dan Campbell said, when asked about the injury status of Jonah Jackson and Wright. "That was good to see and they -- he went right in there, and I think we had a five-step drop first play out of the gate. And, he just went in there and did really good. Yode’s continued to get better really over the last two years. He’s just kind of grown and grown. 

"And last time we played Tampa, he was in there for us, so. But, I thought he did some really good things. Jonah and Brock (Wright), we’ll see. Doesn’t look real good for next week, but we’ll see.”

Ertz has familiarity with Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden, who served in the same position with the Cardinals last season. In 12 NFL seasons, Ertz is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and has logged 7,434 career receiving yards. 

Wright was a factor against the Buccaneers. The reserve tight end recorded a 29-yard catch on a third-and-1 play that helped catapult Detroit's offense in a hard-fought defensive battle. 

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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