The 9-5 Washington Commanders host the 12-2 Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium for an exciting divisional matchup and rematch in Week 16 of the regular season. The last time these two teams met, the Eagles defeated the Commanders 26-18 in Week 11 on Thursday Night Football. With a win, an Atlanta Falcons loss/tie to the New York Giants, and the Seattle Seahawks loss/tie to the Minnesota Vikings, the Commanders can clinch a playoff berth.
The Washington Commanders Pro Bowler suffered two injuries last week
Commanders’ three-time Pro Bowl veteran tight end Zach Ertz suffered a head injury in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15 after hauling in a one-handed grab and hitting his head hard on the ground. Ertz entered the concussion protocol, as he was evaluated for a concussion, and missed the rest of the game. He also sustained a shoulder injury against the Saints.
Ertz did not participate on Wednesday but upgraded to a limited participation for Thursday and Friday’s practice. As a result, the Commanders listed him as questionable in their week’s final injury report. Today would be a great day to have their Pro Bowler available since the Eagles’ pass defense does an exceptional job covering tight ends, allowing the 6th-fewest receptions (61), the 3rd-fewest receiving yards (536), but the T-10th most receiving touchdowns (5) this season, h/t Pro Football Reference.
What does his official game status look like?
According to John Keim of ESPN, head coach Dan Quinn told Sal Paolantonio of ESPN that Zach Ertz (concussion/shoulder) will play against the Philadelphia Eagles. As Keim points out, Ertz’s availability for Week 16 is “good news for Jayden Daniels.” He currently leads his position in receptions, targets, receiving yards, and touchdowns, while he’s second on the team in receptions, targets, receiving yards, and touchdowns behind Terry McLaurin, with 54 receptions on 77 targets for 526 yards and four touchdowns.
TE Zach Ertz will play today, coach Dan Quinn just told Sal Paolantonio. Good news for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 22, 2024