Zach Ertz: Injury| What happened to| Hit| Injury update| Injury today

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What happened to Zach Ertz?

On December 7, 2025, during a game between Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings, veteran tight end Zach Ertz sustained a serious knee injury.
The injury occurred late in the third quarter: Ertz leapt for a pass — thrown by backup QB Marcus Mariota after the starter exited — and was hit in the knee by Vikings safety Jay Ward. The impact was brutal: Ertz’s right leg appeared to buckle unnaturally under the force.
Immediately after the hit, Ertz couldn’t put weight on his leg. He was carted off the field in visible pain and later seen on crutches. The team quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

Early medical assessments from team staff expressed serious concern: the consensus is that Ertz likely suffered a torn ACL in his right knee.
The hit was described by many—including commentators and fans—as “brutal” and some even labeled it a “dirty hit.” It drew outrage given the severity of the injury and the fact that the contact was low and directly to his knee.
According to the head coach, the “early signals aren’t good.” Ertz was scheduled to undergo an MRI the next day to confirm the full extent of the damage.

The immediate update suggests that Ertz’s season is over — officials ruled him out of the rest of Week 14’s game.
Given his age (35) and the seriousness of the injury, many analysts are warning this could be career-threatening. One medical expert noted that given his past knee issues and the severity of the current injury, it might be career-ending.
For now, Ertz will undergo MRI and further evaluation. The healing timeline for an ACL tear typically spans many months — and with his veteran status, a comeback remains uncertain.

Ertz signed a one-year deal with the Commanders in 2025.
Until the injury, he had been a reliable part of the offense this season, with 50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns — showing he remained productive despite being a veteran.
The loss of Ertz is a major blow to Washington’s offense: not only does it weaken their tight-end position, but it also removes a veteran leader and red-zone threat.

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