The Detroit Lions are playing it safe with their newly added Pro Bowler Zach Ertz.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Saturday reported that the Lions will not be activating the veteran tight end ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game showdown with the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
The Lions signed Ertz on Monday with the hope of elevating him from the practice squad by week’s end. The former Arizona Cardinals pass-catcher has been recovering from a quadriceps injury suffered in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks.
There was optimism amongst the Lions faithful that Ertz could provide experienced depth at the tight end position behind standout rookie Sam LaPorta. Lions quarterback Jared Goff even called Ertz “really impressive” for his quick acclimation to Detroit's offense.
“He’s picked it up extremely fast,” Goff said, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “He really has. Really impressive, not that you didn’t expect that from a guy like him who’s been around for so long. I’ve known him here and there throughout the years, and just hearing about how smart he is and how well he can pick up things, he’s done it really well this week. It’s been good.”
Ertz could potentially be reassessed and activated for the Super Bowl should the Lions make it that far. But they will need to overcome the tall task of beating the 49ers first.
Ertz caught 27 catches for 187 yards and one touchdown in limited action with the Cardinals this season.
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