The Washington Commanders need all hands on deck for their crunch Week 16 clash against the Philadelphia Eagles. It's a chance for head coach Dan Quinn's men to stamp their mark on the division leaders and prove they're a team to be feared when the postseason arrives if they make it that far. Nothing else will do.
There are some injury concerns heading into the contest. Wide receiver Noah Brown and running back Austin Ekeler are long-term absentees. The Commanders opted not to risk veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen despite his surprising return to the practice field this week. That was the right call considering how long he's been out with a torn pectoral.
Another with an uncertain status is Zach Ertz. The tight end suffered a concussion versus the New Orleans Saints and didn't practice on Wednesday. After being a limited participant on Thursday and Friday, the former second-round selection was listed as questionable.
Ertz emerged as a dependable security blanket for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels this season. He silenced concerns about whether there was anything left in the tank, so not having him involved in the face of an exceptional Eagles' defense is another blow to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's plans.
Commanders have Zach Ertz available in Week 16
There was a positive development in the hours leading up to the contest. Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed that Ertz is expected to suit up. He'll need to satisfy the NFL's concussion protocols, but all signs are pointing up.
Commanders TE Zach Ertz, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a concussion and a shoulder injury, is trending toward playing vs. the Eagles, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 22, 2024
This was accurate, with Ertz not among Washington's inactives for the game.
This is a significant boost for the Commanders. Ertz's veteran leadership and assured hands would have been sorely missed. The three-time Pro Bowler also performed well in the first outing against his old employers, bringing in six receptions from seven targets for 47 receiving yards and a touchdown. Washington needs all that and more this weekend.
Watching Ertz's progress over the early exchanges will be crucial. The Commanders might err on the side of caution initially. If everything goes according to plan and the player feels good, that's when confidence can increase.
The Commanders wouldn't be putting him on the field if they weren't convinced about his health. Washington needs to cement its playoff status, but player safety is the most important thing above all else. One only has to look at Quinn's approach this season to see that.
Having Ertz available — regardless of how much he can feature in Kingsbury's offensive strategy — can only be a positive. If the Stanford product matches or perhaps increases the productivity from Week 11 on Thursday Night Football at the Eagles, the better Washington's chances will be.