Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed the injury on Monday, ending what may have been the final chapter of Ertz’s storied NFL career.
The injury occurred early in the third quarter when Vikings safety Jay Ward delivered a low hit beneath Ertz’s right knee as he leapt to secure a high pass from quarterback Marcus Mariota. The impact bent Ertz’s knee backward, flipping him in midair before he crashed to the turf. Trainers rushed in immediately, and Ertz was eventually carted off, visibly emotional as Mariota offered support.
Before the injury, the 35-year-old veteran had been one of Washington’s most consistent offensive contributors. Ertz recorded 49 receptions for 493 yards and four touchdowns across 13 games, reestablishing himself as a reliable option in the passing game after signing with Washington in 2024.
Quinn praised Ertz on Monday, calling him an “ideal teammate” who helped shape the Commanders’ culture through detail-oriented preparation and leadership. “Those are the type of elite habits when you’re putting a program together,” Quinn said, emphasizing Ertz’s commitment to extra work and fundamentals.
Ertz now faces a challenging recovery timeline, and given his age, retirement becomes a realistic possibility. He entered the season already nearing the twilight of his career, and a major knee injury could accelerate that decision.
If this marks the end, Ertz leaves behind one of the most productive careers of any tight end of his era. The former second-round pick has amassed 825 receptions, 8,527 yards, and 57 touchdowns, earning three Pro Bowls and playing a pivotal role in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory.
The Commanders, meanwhile, continue to battle a brutal stretch of injuries in 2025, including absences for Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin. Ertz’s loss only adds to the never-ending adversity Merry-Go-Round Washington continues to endure as the season winds down.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior Commanders Insider for SportsJourney.com. As a graduate of George Mason University, Forrest has spent the last eight years sharing his love for sports with listeners and viewers in the DC area and around the world. He hosts the “After Further Review Podcast” and has held numerous on-air and writing roles covering the DC area sports, Division 1 Basketball, and the NFL. His work has been featured on outlets like NBC Sports Washington, Fansided.com, Heavy.com and The Fourth Estate.
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