The Arizona Cardinals finally got some momentum in the midst of a disappointing season, as the team was expected to make a breakthrough under quarterback Kyler Murray and coach Kliff Kingsbury. This Sunday they struggled but managed to beat the struggling Los Angeles Rams 27-17.
The injury occurred during the first quarter when Ertz made a 12-yard catch late in the first quarter at SoFi Stadium, but sprained his left knee when he was knocked down. The 32-year-old limped off the field on his own, visibly upset, before being carted off the sideline.
Ertz no longer returned to the game and was seen following the game wearing a knee brace. He underwent an MRI on Monday to confirm the extent of his injury, though the team was hopeful his ACL was still intact.
A crucial loss for the Cardinals
However the heart of the team the game prompted some lousy news. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, tight end Zach Ertz will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury and called the team’s situation a “brutal reality for Arizona and its veteran.”
Ertz had just one reception for 12 yards before getting hurt and snapped a two-game streak of catching a touchdown pass, but in addition, the Stanford graduate had 47 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games this year, so he represented one of Kyler Murray’s top targets when DeAndre Hopkins was suspended for the first six games of the season.
In fact, Murray was not on the field this Sunday and the offense was manned by Colt McCoy.
Ertz was also instrumental for the Cardinals last season following he arrived in trade with the Philadelphia Eaglesrecording 56 receptions for 574 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.
The three-time Pro Bowler is 32 years old and is likely closer to the end of his career both because of his veteran status and the type of injury he suffered, as it will require a lengthy recovery process and it would be challenging for him to regain the pace of play he currently possessed.
Now, the Cardinals will have to clear as a starter at the position Trey McBride, a rookie out of Colorado State was selected in the second round this year and has four catches for 31 yards, one of which came once morest Los Angeles on Sunday.
However, Ertz was key to trying to get back on track in the NFC Westas they are 4-6 and in third place in the division.