Eagles rule Zach Ertz out for Sunday’s game against New York Giants; Lane Johnson questionable
The Eagles offense will rely on Dallas Goedert to pick up the slack. The second-year tight end has 54 catches for 542 yards and five touchdowns.
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz has been ruled out of the team’s Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants.
Ertz hasn’t practiced this week after suffering a fractured rib and a back injury against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. He finished the game but left for the locker room during the second quarter of the team’s 17-9 win at Lincoln Financial Field.
During his Friday news conference, Eagles coach Doug Pederson said the team had to be smart in deciding whether Ertz could risk further injury. The team worked out at Lincoln Financial Field because its practice facility’s field was too firm, and Ertz did not participate.
“The biggest thing is just making sure he feels good,” Pederson said. “I think, having gone through this myself personally with this type of injury, it’s discomforting, but we want to make sure he’s 100% before we put him back out there again.”
Ertz has 88 catches for 916 yards and six touchdowns this season, one year removed from setting a single-season record of 116 catches among tight ends.
The Eagles offense will rely on Dallas Goedert to pick up the slack in the pivotal game with the NFC East title on the line. The second-year tight end has 54 catches for 542 yards and five touchdowns. With Ertz dealing with the injury against the Cowboys, Goedert had nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in the pivotal Week 16 matchup.
“I had the same mindset as if he was in there and healthy," Goedert said. “I just got to put wins on tape and do everything I can to help the team win.”
Pederson said that right tackle Lane Johnson is making progress with his high ankle sprain. Johnson missed practice Friday but is listed as questionable. He was sidelined the last two games after going down against the Giants earlier this month.
Jalen Mills, who rolled his ankle against the Cowboys, is questionable for Sunday’s game. He was a limited participant in practice.
Nelson Agholor, still dealing with a knee injury suffered earlier in the season, was ruled out of the regular-season finale. He will miss his fourth game in five weeks.