Eagles TE Zach Ertz Played Through Literal Fractured Rib in Sunday Night Season-Saving Win
By Jerry Trotta
In the end, the Philadelphia Eagles' fortitude and perseverance proved monstrous in their win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16.
No player exemplified that toughness more than Zach Ertz, who briefly exited the clash after getting drilled in the midsection upon hauling in a reception. The All-Pro tight end eventually returned to gut it out, and the update on his injury proves that he is a true warrior.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Ertz suffered a broken rib on the play.
How tough is #Eagles TE Zach Ertz? He suffered a fractured rib last night and somehow played and helped put Philly on the doorstep of the playoffs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2019
Forget receiving for a second, just imagine how many shots Ertz must have taken to his ribs while blocking in the trenches. There's simply no way to figure that an ace bandage was enough to mitigate the pain, right?
We're cringing just thinking about it. You can almost hear Ertz's ribs crack on impact from Cowboys defensive back Xavier Woods.
Xavier Woods hit that has sidelined Eagles three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz pic.twitter.com/1nHgo0UsdK
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) December 22, 2019
OUCH!
Ertz finished the game with just four receptions for 28 yards, but pushing through the pain of a broken freaking rib because the Eagles were depleted at receiver deserves all sorts of praise.