Washington Commanders

The Detroit Lions signed veteran tight end Zach Ertz to their practice squad earlier this week, and quarterback Jared Goff doesn't see why Ertz can't play in Sunday's NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers. "He's picked it up extremely fast," Goff said. "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." The 33-year-old has a Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Goff thinks Ertz's presence at practices has already helped the Lions as they try to make their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. With impressive rookie Sam LaPorta being Goff's go-to tight end target, Ertz probably won't see many snaps if he's active on Sunday.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that veteran tight end Zach Ertz is in the team's building on Wednesday, but the team is unsure if this is the week to use him. "Right now he just got here, I know he's in shape. I talked to him the other day. He understands we're gonna gauge this and see where we're at," Campbell said. Detroit signed the 33-year-old veteran to their practice squad on Monday to give them more tight end depth for the NFC Championship game this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers after Brock Wright fractured his forearm in the Divisional Round win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before being waived by the Arizona Cardinals in November, Ertz caught 27 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown in seven games. Even if he were active this weekend, Ertz wouldn't be a realistic target for those playing DFS.

Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz is signing with the Detroit Lions on Monday, according to sources. Ertz will start out on the team's practice squad, with plans for the team to elevate him to the 53-man active roster for the NFC Championship game on Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers. The 33-year-old veteran was cut by the Arizona Cardinals in November and went unclaimed on waivers. Ertz will join the Lions after Brock Wright suffered a fractured forearm during the Divisional Round win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Rookie Sam LaPorta, who led all tight ends in fantasy points during the regular season, will continue to be one of quarterback Jared Goff's favorite targets in the NFC Championship, but Ertz will give the Lions some experience as a backup to LaPorta.

Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (shoulder) is being placed on Injured Reserve ahead of the team's Divisional Round game against the Baltimore Ravens or Kansas City Chiefs. The 28-year-old was on the injury report often this season with knee and back injuries, and he suffered a shoulder injury in the Wild Card win over the Cleveland Browns. Although Brown often played second or third-fiddle to Nico Collins and Tank Dell (leg), he delivered two games of over 150 receiving yards in 2023. Overall, Brown accumulated 33 receptions for 567 yards and two touchdowns in his first year as a Texan. He is a free agent this offseason. Moving forward, Collins, Robert Woods, John Metchie III, and Xavier Hutchinson will have to step up at wideout. Tight ends Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan will also be candidates to see more targets.

Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (shoulder) has been downgraded to out during Saturday's playoff game against the Cleveland Browns. Brown was forced to exit during the first half of Saturday's game and officially won't return. He'll finish the night with zero receptions on one target. The Texans will now need to lean on fellow wideouts Nico Collins and Robert Woods for the rest of this contest. The team should give a better timetable on Brown's status following the game.