Zach Ertz cleared for football, targets 2026 return

Zach Ertz cleared and targeting 2026 NFL season

Zach Ertz, TE and three-time Pro Bowler, has been officially cleared for all football activities and wants to play in 2026, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Ertz was at Stanford recently, catching passes from former college quarterback Andrew Luck, who now serves as Stanford's football general manager.

Schefter reports Ertz is expected to be ready to sign in mid-August.

The injury he is coming back from

Ertz tore his ACL in Week 14 of the 2025 season during a game against the Minnesota Vikings. It was the second ACL tear of his career. He also tore the ACL in his other knee late in the 2022 season and missed significant time with a quadriceps injury in 2023. He turned 35 in November.

Before the injury last season, Ertz ranked second on the Washington Commanders in catches (50) and receiving touchdowns (4), and third in receiving yards (504), despite missing four games.

Where could he land?

Ertz is a free agent. Schefter's report does not name a destination. The research notes point to a few possible fits: a return to Washington, where he built a strong connection with QB Jayden Daniels; a reunion with the Philadelphia Eagles, where Dallas Goedert is heading to free agency; or the Kansas City Chiefs if Travis Kelce retires. Washington has emphasized getting younger this offseason, which makes a return there less certain.

Fantasy outlook

The mid-August signing timeline means Ertz will not be a factor in early drafts. Treat him as a late-round flier or a waiver-wire target once he signs and you know where he lands.

His profile is a volume-based, short-to-intermediate route runner with consistent red-zone usage. When healthy, that floor has real value. At 35 and coming off a second ACL tear, the upside is limited, but the right landing spot could make him a usable TE2. Hold off on drafting him until his destination is confirmed.