Philadelphia Eagles’ injury list is getting longer each week. Eagles lost the majority of their starting wide receivers and running backs throughout the season, and now their injury curse of 2019 spread on tight ends after Pro Bowler Zach Ertz broke his rib.
Ertz suffered the injury in Sunday’s game against Dallas Cowboys, in which the Eagles managed to take command of NFC East with 17-9 win. The 29-year-old tried to catch a pass in the first quarter and took a hit to the ribs from Cowboys’ safety Xavier Woods in the process. He briefly left the game for treatment but later returned to the field, contributing with four receptions for 28 yards.
According to NFL Network’s report, Ertz’s injury might be more severe as he is “hurt pretty bad.” Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, on the other hand is optimistic that his star tight end won’t miss time.
“There is a rib that’s been affected. I still am waiting on, with our doctors, a couple more tests for some other things,” said Pederson on Monday. “It is [a good sign that returned to play Sunday]. It just shows his toughness and willingness to go back out there, but as you guys know, we take every injury seriously and make sure that we protect our players.”
Zach Ertz is a major part of the Eagles offense this year as well, having caught 88 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games played. This brought him his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance.
