The Eagles play for the NFC East title Sunday, but they won’t have one of their biggest offensive playmakers on the field. Tight end Zach Ertz is ruled out, Philadelphia confirmed Friday.
The news isn’t a complete shock as the 29-year-old fractured a rib in Week 16, despite continuing to play versus the Cowboys (7-8). Ertz didn’t practice Thursday, also dealing with soreness in his back.
The 6-foot-5 tight end leads the Eagles (8-7) in receiving yards with 916, a total number of receptions with 88 and receiving touchdowns this season with six.
Playing depleted isn’t new for this Philly team, but losing Ertz is certainly a big blow.
A win for the Eagles versus the Giants (4-11) Sunday clinches the division, and with that a home playoff game. Philadelphia has won six in a row versus New York and is riding a three-game win streak which began with an OT win against the Giants in the teams’ first meeting this season.
