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The Washington Commanders need all hands on deck for their crunch Week 16 clash against the Philadelphia Eagles. It's a chance for head coach Dan Quinn's men to stamp their mark on the division leaders and prove they're a team to be feared when the postseason arrives if they make it that far. Nothing else will do.
There are some injury concerns heading into the contest. Wide receiver Noah Brown and running back Austin Ekeler are long-term absentees. The Commanders opted not to risk veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen despite his surprising return to the practice field this week. That was the right call considering how long he's been out with a torn pectoral.
Another with an uncertain status is Zach Ertz. The tight end suffered a concussion versus the New Orleans Saints and didn't practice on Wednesday. After being a limited participant on Thursday and Friday, the former second-round selection was listed as questionable.
Ertz emerged as a dependable security blanket for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels this season. He silenced concerns about whether there was anything left in the tank, so not having him involved in the face of an exceptional Eagles' defense is another blow to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's plans.
Commanders are expecting Zach Ertz to play in Week 16
There was a positive development in the hours leading up to the contest. Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed that Ertz is expected to suit up. He'll need to satisfy the NFL's concussion protocols, but all signs are pointing up.
Commanders TE Zach Ertz, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a concussion and a shoulder injury, is trending toward playing vs. the Eagles, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 22, 2024
This is a significant boost for the Commanders. Ertz's veteran leadership and assured hands would have been sorely missed. The three-time Pro Bowler also performed well in the first outing against his old employers, bringing in six receptions from seven targets for 47 receiving yards and a touchdown. Washington needs all that and more this weekend.
Watching Ertz's progress over the early exchanges will be crucial. The Commanders might err on the side of caution initially. If everything goes according to plan and the player feels good, that's when confidence can increase.
The Commanders wouldn't be putting him on the field if they weren't convinced about his health. Washington needs to cement its playoff status, but player safety is the most important thing above all else. One only has to look at Quinn's approach this season to see that.
Having Ertz available — regardless of how much he can feature in Kingsbury's offensive strategy — can only be a positive. If the Stanford product matches or perhaps increases the productivity from Week 11 on Thursday Night Football at the Eagles, the better Washington's chances will be.
More Commanders news and analysis
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Steelers Interested In Exciting 2020 Top-10 Draft Pick After Free Agent Visit
The Pittsburgh Steelers are always looking to improve their roster. That was seen throughout the 2025 offseason with the amount of transactions General Manager Omar Khan completed, but it is also something that is a priority during the regular season. When it is in-season most teams are trying to upgrade their depth, which is something Pittsburgh will look to do as attrition continues to set in as the team plays more games. This leads to the team hosting workouts with current free agents, and even signing some, whether that be to the practice squad or to the active roster. Pittsburgh has played four games now and is coming off of its bye week in Week 5. This means the team has some injuries in various areas, and it also gives the coaching staff and Khan a better idea of where some upgrades need to occur. This means more players might be brought in for workouts, and that is exactly what happened on Wednesday as the franchise hosted two linebackers on workouts. Pittsburgh brought in Michael Barrett as well as former top-10 pick Isaiah Simmons. Simmons is a prominent name in the NFL. He was selected with the eighth overall pick back in the 2020 NFL Draft as he was picked by the Arizona Cardinals. He was considered one of the best defenders in the country during his college career at Clemson, where he won the National Championship at the end of the 2018 season. Simmons was lauded as a prospect coming into the NFL. He was seen as a hybrid between an inside linebacker and a safety, and his athleticism was off the charts. It was noted that he needed to be put in the right situation, and the right system, in order to succeed. That never really happened. He spent just three seasons in Arizona before being traded to the New York Giants. He signed for the following season in New York, but he was not brought back after 2024. He signed with the Green Bay Packers during the 2025 offseason but did not make the final roster. The linebacker's best season came in 2022 with the Cardinals. He recorded 99 total tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Despite the successful year he was traded away. In his two seasons with the Giants he played in all 34 games while starting five of them. He tallied 71 total tackles, a pick six, and a sack during that time. Simmons has shown flashes throughout his career, but he has never been able to remain consistent enough to find his footing in the NFL. He is fighting to keep his career alive, and a workout in Pittsburgh could be a step in the right direction. Steelers Could Add Quality Depth By Signing Isaiah Simmons If Simmons were to sign in Pittsburgh, it would probably begin with him on the practice squad. He could get elevated if injuries occur, but there is no reason to believe that he would be a major contributor for the Steelers defense in 2025. He has versatility which is something Pittsburgh always appreciates, and his experience playing both linebacker and safety would make him a prime candidate to be on the field on obvious passing downs. If Pittsburgh can find a way to unlock the first-round talent that Simmons once had, this would be a great move. But it is hard to look at this as anything more than adding some depth to a defense that has been beat up so far during the 2025 season. The Steelers could also continue their research into former first round picks by taking a look at recently-released wide receiver Treylon Burks.
North Carolina reportedly considering nuclear option with Bill Belichick, and that's justified
Former Yankees, Mariners prospect hospitalized following motorcycle crash
Jesús Montero failed to develop into the baseball star that some thought he might, despite repeatedly appearing on preseason top prospect rankings. The former New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners catcher failed to capitalize on that potential and turn it into a long career. Once viewed as New York's "catcher of the future," Montero played in just 226 games during his five-year MLB career. His last professional appearance came during the 2020-21 Venezuelan Winter League, where he went 0-for-17 at the plate with six strikeouts. Montero, according to Spanish-language reports out of Venezuela, has been hospitalized in his home country following a traffic accident. The now 35-year-old was reportedly riding his motorcycle when a suspected drunk driver hit him. Montero is in critical condition after suffering multiple leg fractures, broken ribs and lung damage. Jesus Montero's Yankees stint lasted 18 games New York originally signed Montero as an international amateur free agent in 2006. The power-hitting prospect, one of the best bats available in the free agent class, was given a $2 million signing bonus. By 2009, Montero was appearing on preseason prospect rankings — landing on Baseball America's Top 100 list in four consecutive seasons. The Yankees called Montero up for his MLB debut when rosters expanded in September 2011. He'd appear in 18 games, hitting .328/.406/.590 with four home runs in 69 PA. Jesus Montero traded to Mariners in January 2012 Montero was traded, along with right-hander Héctor Noesí, to the Mariners the following offseason for right-handers Michael Pineda and Jose Campos. Over parts of four seasons, he batted .247/.285/.383 over 796 PA with 24 home runs. Seattle ultimately sent him down to Triple-A due to his defensive limitations with the hope that he'd learn to play first base. His Seattle tenure was marred by constant rumblings about his physical shape and attitude, including a 2014 incident where he threw an ice cream sandwich at a scout while on a rehab assignment.
Ex-Cardinals Hurler Cuts Ties With Diamondbacks Following 6th MLB Season
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Eagles receive good and bad injury news ahead of matchup with Giants
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