Lions get take a look at Zach Ertz in apply to see if he can play in NFC title recreation

Detroit Lions tight finish Zach Ertz practiced along with his new staff Wednesday, doubtlessly making the three-time Professional Bowl participant out there for the NFC championship recreation towards the 49ers (6:30 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).

The 33-year-old Ertz agreed to a take care of Detroit earlier this week so as to add much-needed depth.

Lions coach Dan Campbell stated he is not certain how rapidly Ertz can stand up to hurry to probably be within the lineup towards the 49ers on Sunday.

“I do know he is in form,” Campbell stated. “I talked to him the opposite day. He understands we’re simply going to gauge this and see the place we’re at.”

Report-breaking rookie tight finish Sam LaPorta had just one participant, Anthony Firkser, behind him on the depth chart earlier than Ertz agreed to a deal. Backup tight ends Brock Wright and James Mitchell have been injured in every of the previous two video games.

Six years in the past, Ertz had the go-ahead landing reception within the Eagles‘ Tremendous Bowl win over the Patriots and had an NFL single-season report for catches by a good finish with 116 in the course of the 2018 season. Ertz was traded by the Eagles to Arizona in the course of the 2021 season and requested for and was granted his launch from the Cardinals almost two months in the past.

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“He is performed at a excessive stage,” Campbell stated. “There’s issues that he does nicely and it is only a matter of, is that this the week to make use of him?”

LaPorta had 86 catches within the common season to interrupt the rookie tight finish report set by Keith Jackson in 1988 with the Eagles. The second-round choose from Iowa, who has 11 receiving touchdowns, has set league marks by a rookie tight finish with eight receptions in a playoff recreation and 12 catches in a postseason.

The 28-year-old Firkser was on the sector for 16 snaps over two playoff video games in Detroit and performed in two regular-season video games for the Lions.

Reporting by The Related Press.