Reinforcements are on the way for the Arizona Cardinals. After tearing his ACL and MCL nearly nine months ago, tight end Zach Ertz has officially been cleared for full football activity and is targeting a Week 1 return to the field, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Turning 33 in November, the former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion will provide a much-needed boost to a Cardinals offense that just lost All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason.
In the 10 games Ertz played last year, he caught 47 passes for 406 receiving yards to go along with four touchdowns. He is expected to be activated off the PUP list sometime this week according to Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. Once he is activated, that leaves Cardinals franchise signal-caller Kyler Murray as the only player on the PUP list for the team.
While Murray’s timetable to return remains to be seen, Ertz’s presence is a welcomed addition for whoever will be under center Week 1. Whether it be Murray (which seems unlikely based on where he is in his rehab process), NFL journeyman Colt McCoy, or fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune, Ertz gives them a reliable option to target in the middle of the field.
Ertz should immediately reclaim his role as the Cardinal’s starting tight end. 2022 second-round pick Trey McBride stepped in when Ertz went down last year and filled in admirably, giving the team hope that he can ultimately be the starting tight end of the future for the franchise.
