NFL: Zach Ertz cleared for full return from ACL tear

Medical green light for Ertz

Zach Ertz is cleared for full football activity. The 35-year-old tight end, now a free agent, got the all-clear to resume every part of his work, ESPN reported overnight. He has been chasing this comeback since tearing the ACL in his right knee.

The injury hit on December 7, 2025, in Washington’s 31-0 wipeout against the Vikings. A telling sign of where the rehab stands: Ertz was already catching passes Tuesday from Andrew Luck, his old Stanford quarterback.

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A career loaded with mileage

He wants a 14th season, and age has barely dented him. Last year in Washington he pulled in 50 catches for 504 yards and four scores across 13 games.

The rest of the file argues for itself. A Super Bowl winner with Philadelphia after the 2017 season, a three-time Pro Bowler, Ertz sits fifth all-time among tight ends with 825 receptions and eighth in receiving yards at 8,592.

What comes next

The open question is which franchise bets on the experience. After runs with the Eagles, Cardinals and Commanders, Ertz owns 57 touchdowns in 181 regular-season games. Plenty there to tempt a team hunting for a sure thing at the position.

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