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Zach Ertz Barely Participating in Eagles Practice on Wednesday is a Bad Sign

By Scott Rogust

Ahead of their NFC Wild Cartd Round game vs. Seahawks, Zach Ertz has been a limited participant.
Ahead of their NFC Wild Cartd Round game vs. Seahawks, Zach Ertz has been a limited participant. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Philadelphia Eagles are prepping for their NFC Wild Card matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but a key figure on offense remains sidelined for the majority of practice.

Following team practice on Wednesday, head coach Doug Pederson revealed that while tight end Zach Ertz participated in walkthroughs, he has yet to be cleared for contact following his Week 16 rib injury. His status for the first round of the playoffs remains up in the air.

After the Eagles' win over the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 16, it was revealed Ertz suffered a cracked rib, resulting in a lacerated kidney. The injury forced him out of Philadelphia's regular season finale this past weekend, in which they clinched the NFC East title in a 34-17 win over the New York Giants.

Philadelphia has fought through a laundry list of injuries to win out the final month of the 2019 season. However, Ertz potentially missing out on the playoffs could be catastrophic to their chances of a run.

Through 15 games this season, Ertz leads the team in targets (135), receptions (88), receiving yards (916) and touchdowns (6).

Quarterback Carson Wentz is playing in his first ever playoff game in his four-year career, and not having his security blanket in Zach Ertz could result in a rough day at the office for Philadelphia.