Zach Ertz knee injury: Cardinals TE to miss rest of 2022 NFL season
On Sunday, Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz was carted off the field after suffering a devastating knee injury. The Cardinals would go on to win, but the loss they suffered there turned out to be a great one. The tight end is confirmed to be out for the rest of the year.
Sources: #AZCardinals TE Zach Ertz has suffered a season-ending knee injury. A brutal reality for Arizona and its veteran.
Following the game, sources told Ian Rapoport that Zach Ertz won't play another down this season. Ertz had scored four touchdowns and recorded over 400 yards through nine games.
Zach Ertz contract: Has the Cardinals TE played his last game for the team?
Despite the tight end's absence for the rest of the season, he has not played his last down in Arizona. He initially signed a three-year, $31.65 million contract in 2022, so he remains under contract through the 2025 season.
He can opt out in 2024, but he will have to stay under contract for the next season until then. Unless the knee injury is career-ending, or the Cardinals decide to cut ties, he'll still be a Cardinal for at least the next year.
Zach Ertz backup: Who will replace the veteran as Cardinals' TE1?
The Cardinals have already lost wide receiver Marquise Brown for an indefinite amount of time, so the loss of their starting tight end hurts.
Behind Ertz are Trey McBride and Stephen Anderson. Through nine games this year, McBride has only recorded four catches for 31 yards, so Ertz's production will be tough to replace.
Zach Ertz return: How long will Cardinals TE be out for?
The Cardinals' star tight end is confirmed to miss the rest of the season. That means he'll be out at least eight weeks. However, depending on the severity of the injury, he might be out for a short amount of time next year.
Rapoport didn't disclose exactly what the knee injury was. If it's an ACL tear or something as severe, he may miss the first portion of the 2023-2024 season.
For reference, Odell Beckham Jr. tore his ACL in the Super Bowl and hasn't been cleared to play yet.