The Washington Commanders' pathetic shutout loss to the Minnesota Vikings was bad enough without veteran tight end Zach Ertz going down with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. Dan Quinn stated that it didn't look promising, and the head coach confirmed the worst fears of everyone associated with the franchise.
Ertz suffered a violent hit to his leg while in the air trying to make a catch. The concerns were immediate, with teammates going to console him as he left the U.S. Bank Stadium turf on a cart in tears. He's meant a significant amount to the organization both on and off the field, so his abrupt departure was a heartbreaking moment in no uncertain terms.
Quinn wasn't going to announce anything, one way or the other, until further tests were done. Those arrived on Monday, which confirmed that Ertz had suffered a torn ACL and was out for the season.
Commanders dealt harrowing Zach Ertz blow that likely ends his Washington spell
The coach highlighted just how revered Ertz is in the locker room. He galvanized his career in Washington, becoming one of Jayden Daniels' most dependable targets during his rookie surge to superstardom. The three-time Pro Bowler became an exceptional leader and mentor behind the scenes, as well as a strong community presence.
Dan Quinn confirms that Zach Ertz has a torn ACL - "tough news...He has meant a lot to our team both on and off the field."
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 8, 2025
This is a devastating blow to the player. And one has to wonder if this is the end of Ertz's illustrious NFL career that could end up in Canton one day.
Although ACL tears aren't as serious thanks to the advances in modern health and rehabilitation practices, Ertz still faces a long road back. He recently turned 35, which could lengthen the recovery process. The league is also beyond ruthless, so there is a chance the Stanford product gets cast aside entirely unless he gets back much sooner than expected.
Ertz doesn't owe the Commanders or the NFL anything. He's left it all on the line, made a ton of money, and his status as one of the best pass-catching tight ends of the modern era is assured. He's already ahead of Shannon Sharpe on the all-time receptions list for players at the position. Even if he doesn't go any higher, it would still be a monumental accomplishment.
The Commanders must now begin planning for the future. Ben Sinnott must get an extended audition as the TE1 over Washington's final four games. If he can't figure things out, finding a free agent or draft prospect who can fill the void is crucial. Otherwise, Ertz's inevitable departure at the end of his contract will be sorely felt.
Commanders fans will wish nothing but the best for Ertz. And last season's miraculous run to the NFC Championship game wouldn't have been possible without him.