The white towel hid Zach Ertz’s face, but the sobs didn’t leave much for the imagination.
The Washington Commanders tight end suffered a knee injury against the Minnesota Vikings Dec. 7 and will not return.
Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota – in for the injured starter Jayden Daniels – threw high to Ertz in the third quarter. Vikings safety Jay Ward came in low and plowed into Ertz’s vulnerable right leg.
After the hit, Ertz immediately signaled to the Washington sideline for assistance and, unable to put any weight on the leg, he was carried off the field.
Mariota consoled Ertz while the latter was on the cart, and the broadcast cameras showed a distressed Daniels – who, despite the 10-year age gap, has developed a strong kinship with the veteran presence that was key to turning around the losing ways during Dan Quinn’s first season in 2024.
Ertz played in all of the Commanders’ games last season and had seven touchdowns. In 2025, he was up to 50 catches and four touchdowns.
Ertz has said he would play the rest of his career with Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and his connection with Daniels was another motivating factor to return for a 13th NFL season this year.
This story will be updated.