Eagles TE Zach Ertz remains in concussion protocol
Zach Ertz has not yet been cleared to play, but Doug Pederson said he could play Sunday even if he's cleared after the practice week concludes.
COSTA MESA, Calif. – Eagles tight end Zach Ertz remains in the league-mandated concussion protocol, coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday. The Eagles begin practicing for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday afternoon.
"The sense is he's doing well," Pederson said. "I don't want to get into too many details about it. He's still in the protocol, and we've just got to monitor him day-by-day."
Ertz is in meetings, which means he's in at least the second stage of the concussion protocol and is past the baseline level of signs and symptoms.
His recovery is out of the team's hands, and he cannot return to practice until he has been cleared by an independent neurologist. If that happens before Sunday, it could be late in the week after the bulk of the practices is complete. Pederson said Ertz could miss practices this week and still play Sunday.
"In his case, he's had a lot of reps with Carson; he's had a lot of reps with some of the plays we have in the game plan," Pederson said. "I'm not concerned with something like that. Maybe if it was an offensive or defensive lineman or a linebacker who has to see a lot of things. We do play with multiple tight ends."
Ertz missed one game this season with a hamstring injury, but he's still on pace to have a career season. Trey Burton would have a bigger role if Ertz cannot play. Pederson said the Eagles stick to the same game plan, although they have certain plays they use if Ertz is in the game.
"We had to do this a couple weeks ago," Pederson said. "We made a few adjustments to the call sheet. … It's kind of like the running backs. We have multiple running backs, and when one guy goes down, the next guy just rolls in there."