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    Zach Ertz (ACL) cleared for football activities

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    FA Tight End #86
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports free agent TE Zach Ertz (ACL) is “cleared for all football activities.”

    Ertz tore his ACL in Week 14 last season with the Commanders. Schefter reports the 35-year-old is ready for football activities and was catching passes from Andrew Luck at Stanford on Tuesday. He caught 50 passes for 504 yards and four touchdowns last season, seeing at least 70 targets in each of the last two seasons with the Commanders. Ertz has expressed a desire to continue playing and Schefter reports the veteran is “expected to be ready to sign in mid-August.” His top-15 fantasy tight end days are behind him, but Ertz can certainly offer some help in the tight end landscape this season, pending his landing spot.
Belichick and UNC pick up 'big win' over TCU
Mike Florio and Chris Simms discuss North Carolina's 15-10 win over TCU, breaking down how Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels were able to start off on the right foot.

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  • FA Tight End #86
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    Ertz suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 of last season. Now nearly six months removed from his surgery, the 35-year-old free agent is continuing to rehab in hopes of returning for at least one more season. In his second season with the Commanders, Ertz totaled 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns and posted a 116-1,158-11 line in his two seasons with the team. While a return to Washington seems unlikely at this point, when healthy, Ertz should have a little bit of a market for teams in need of help at the position. Even if he does land somewhere, it’s hard to imagine Ertz having any real fantasy upside beyond that of a matchup based streaming option.
  • FA Tight End #86
    Ertz may not be 100 percent by September, but perhaps he’ll be a midseason reinforcement somewhere. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said “you never know” when asked about Ertz returning behind Dallas Goedert. The Commanders also reportedly haven’t ruled out bringing him back.
  • WAS Tight End #86
    The 35-year-old was injured in early December. Ertz had already become a catch-and-fall specialist even before his injury, but he has maintained a route-running savvy and strong pair of hands. His injury timeline makes him a tricky bet early in free agency, perhaps making it more likely he holds out for more guaranteed money on the eve of training camp. By then, teams will have a better idea of his health, as well as their own needs.
  • BAL Tight End #80
    Likely, an unrestricted free agent, could see interest from multiple teams this spring, including the Commanders, who are likely to move on from veteran TE Zach Ertz after his catastrophic knee injury in 2025. “Likely would bring more upside with his catch-and-run ability. A move player in the formation, Likely would also be schemed to create underneath one-on-ones,” Bowen said. In his four seasons with the Ravens, Likely popped off a few times in a run-heavy offense, usually when Mark Andrews was sidelined. Likely since the start of the 2024 season ranks fourth among all tight ends in ESPN’s open score, which measures a player’s ability to separate from defenders. He would be an intriguing fantasy option as an every-down player in Washington.
  • WAS Tight End #86
    Ertz’s 2025 season is over after a Week 14 cheap shot resulted in a torn ACL for the 35-year-old veteran. He ends the season with 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns. Ertz was tenth among tight ends in catches and 12th in yardage before the injury. John Bates will likely operate as Washington’s TE1 for now, though Ben Sinnott could mix in as the Commanders play out the rest of their lost season. Neither Bates nor Sinnott should be played in 12-team leagues.
  • WAS Tight End #86
    At a minimum, this is a season-ending injury for Ertz. At worst, it’s a career-ending injury for the 35-year-old tight end who has played 13 seasons and now suffered two devastating knee injuries in his career. Ertz re-upped with the Commanders on a one-year, $6.25 million deal this offseason after a bounce-back 2024 campaign in which he went for 66-654-7. Ertz continued to be a reliable safety blanket in the passing game for the 3-10 Commanders, posting a steady 5-504-4 line this season while going for 50-plus yards in three games. He’ll enter 2026 as a free agent, and may need to prove he’s fully healed in the offseason before signing a one-year contract with the Commanders or another team.
  • WAS Tight End #86
    This news should come as no surprise to anybody who saw a video of the injury. Ertz’s leg bent in an unnatural direction after he was hit by safety Jay Ward in the third quarter, and the veteran tight end needed help to get to the sideline before being carted to the locker room. A torn ACL would mark the end of the season for Ertz, who is already in the twilight of his 13-year career. Ertz entered the day with 49 receptions for 493 yards and four touchdowns. Backup John Bates would be next in line for snaps in Ertz’s absence.
  • WAS Tight End #86
    It’s safe to say Ertz’s day is over after the veteran receiver suffered a devastating knee injury in the third quarter. Ertz, who caught one pass for 11 yards in Sunday’s game, could be seen in tears while being carted away. The 35-year-old is likely looking at a long-term injury that could prove to be a season-ender.
  • WAS Tight End #86
    Ertz attempted to make a leaping grab, only to have his legs taken out by safety Jay Ward. Ertz remained down on the field for several minutes while having his right knee tended to, and was unable to put any weight on it while being assisted to the sidelines. It was a bad looking injury that is likely to sideline him for the remainder of the game and perhaps longer. If his day is over, Ertz will finish with a 1-11-0 line on two targets.
  • WAS Tight End #86
    Ertz was one of the primary beneficiaries of a career-high 50 pass attempts from veteran backup Marcus Mariota, reeling in a season-high 10 balls in the process. His fantasy night could have been even bigger had he corralled a four-yard pass on third-and-goal in overtime, which nearly cost the team a chance at completing the comeback. Mariota would find Terry McLaurin on a pick-slant on the next play but a failed fourth-down attempt sent the Commanders to their seventh consecutive loss. Ertz remains a steady, yet unspectacular, contributor in Washington’s offense and fantasy managers can continue starting him in PPR formats.

Rotoworld

  • PHI Running Back #39
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    Eagles signed RB Dameon Pierce to the practice squad.

    The news was first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Pierce was released by the Eagles on Sunday with the team keeping Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley to backup Saquon Barkley. Pierce will head to the practice squad and be the next running back up if an injury arises.
  • SEA Running Back #36
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    ESPN’s Brady Henderson believes the Seahawks will “roll with [Jadarian] Price as their lead back while mixing in a heavy dose of George Holani.”

    Though Price did not play a single preseason snap and has missed time over the past few weeks with muscle soreness, he is widely expected to function as Seattle’s lead back in Week 1 against the Patriots, with Zach Charbonnet (knee) on the PUP list to begin the regular season. Holani, however, should see significant usage in the Seahawks backfield. His “receiving and pass-blocking skills seem perfectly suited for third-down work,” Henderson said. Emanuel Wilson, Henderson added, will be the “power complement to those two” if he’s fully recovered from an undisclosed injury. “Whatever plan Seattle has going into Week 1 will start to change once Charbonnet returns,” Henderson said. “Whenever Charbonnet is all the way back, it’s easy to envision the Seahawks splitting the work in their backfield fairly evenly between him and Price the way they did last season with Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III.” Sam Darnold has called Price a “special player” who excels as a pass catcher. For now it appears he’ll be an early-down option for Seattle’s offense.
  • FA Wide Receiver #17
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    Ravens released WR Chris Moore.

    The Ravens aslso waived/released LB Michael Barrett, G Evan Beerntsen, DL Rayshaun Benny, WR Cortez Braham, C Corey Bullock, OL Gerad Lichtenhan, C Nick Dawkins, ILB Dominic DeLuca, DT Aaron Graves, WR Xavier Guillory, OLB Adisa Isaac, WR Cornelius Johnson, LB Jamon Johnson, LB Carl Jones, CB Robert Longerbeam, RB Dontae McMillan, DT David Olajiga, TE Ty Pezza, QB Austin Reed, CB Marquise Robinson, LB Kaimon Rucker, FB Lucas Scott, WR Octavian Smith, RB Elijah Tau-Toliver, WR Dayton Wade, S Silas Walters, CB Lardarius Webb Jr., LB Dion Wilson Jr., CB Amani Oruwariye, OT David Sharpe, S K’Von Wallace and RB Jonathan Ward.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
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    The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports that the NFL has granted a two-game roster exemption for Rams DT Aaron Donald.

    The exemption timeline is a little strange. Per Pelissero, it expires on September 11th, one day after the Rams’ Week 1 game against the 49ers. Regardless, it helps the team save roster space since Donald was officially reinstated to the active roster today.
  • DET Defensive Back #32
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    Lions place S Brian Branch on the reserve/physically unable to perform list with an Achilles injury.

    Branch ruptured an Achilles tendon in Week 14 last year. He is still recovering. The Lions also placed C Cade Mays (wrist) on the injured reserve/designated for return list due to his summer injury. Both players will be eligible to return after missing four games.
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    Ravens placed Adam Randall on injured reserve.

    Cornerback Bilhal Kone was also placed on IR. Both players can return after four games. Randall was likely parked behind Justice Hill as the Ravens’ RB3 heading into the season. That role now belongs to Rasheen Ali, at least until Randall is back in action. He played in the team’s final preseason game and the team has not said what this injury is yet.
  • FA Wide Receiver #85
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    Buccaneers waived WR Garrett Greene.

    The Buccaneers also waived QB Connor Bazelak, OLB Chris Braswell, LB John Bullock, TE Devin Culp, TE Kenny Fletcher Jr., OT Marshall Foerner, DL Josiah Green, WR Matthew Henry, OLB Yasir Holmes, OG Nash Hutmacher, WR Jha’Quan Jackson, LB Nick Jackson, DL Jayson Jones, G Elijah Klein, RB Barika Kpeenu, OG Henry Lutovsky, S Robert McDaniel, CB Roman Parodie, WR Dean Patterson IV, K B.T. Potter, OLB Jack Pyburn, WR Eric Rivers Jr., S J.J. Roberts, OT Paul Rubelt, C Ben Scott, DL Travis Shaw, RB Josh Williams, S Rashad Wisdom and LB LB Javin Wright. The Buccaneers released QB Jake Browning, LS Scott Daly and S Ifeatu Melifonwu. The Buccaneers placed CB Josh Hayes and WR David Sills V on injured reserve.
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    Chargers placed Scott Matlock on injured reserve.

    Offensive lineman Brandson Taylor was also placed on injured reserve. Rookie offensive tackle Isaiah World was placed on the reserve/NFI list. All three players will miss at least four games to start the year.
  • KC Running Back #25
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    Chiefs waived RB Emari Demercado.

    Demercado’s departure leaves rookie RB Emmett Johnson and second-year RB Brashard Smith to back up starting RB Kenneth Walker. The Chiefs also waived DE Vincent Anthony, LB Kam Arnold, WR Andrew Armstrong, WR Wesley Bissainthe, DT Cole Brevard, WR Jason Brownlee, WR Jacob De Jesus, OT Ethan Driskell, WR Omari Evans, OT Chukwuebuka Godrick, LB Cam Jones, WR Xavier Loyd, S Tanner McCalister, DT Amari McNeill, C Pete Nygra, RB Jaydn Ott, DT Damon Payne, CB D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, TE Mason Pline, S DeShon Singleton, CB Melvin Smith, EDGE Tyreke Smith, OG Josh Thompson, CB Zelmar Vedder, TE Tre Watson and WR Jeff Weimer. The Chiefs released LB Cole Christiansen, CB Kaiir Elam, CB Kader Kohou and EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah. The Chiefs placed DT Omarr Norman-Lott (knee) on the reserve/physically unable to play list and WR Jimmy Holiday on injured reserve. The Chiefs also waived OG C.J. Hanson, QB Chris Oladokun and RB EJ Smith with injury designations.
  • FA Running Back #32
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    Chargers released Jarrett Patterson.

    Patterson was a depth option for LA last year, but his services were no longer needed with Keaton Mitchell in the mix on top of Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal. He could wind up on the team’s practice squad later this week. The Chargers also waived/released S Noah Avinger, LB Lander Barton, LS Peter Bowden, TE Jerand Bradley, OLB Andre Carter, DL Jahmeer Carter, WR Liam Clifford, LB Junior Colson, RB Gregory Desrosiers, S Devin Grant, DL Jacobian Guillory, WR JaQuae Jackson, WR Gary Jennings, RB Amar Johnson, LB Emany Johnson, C Josh Kaltenberger, TE Johnny Pascuzzi, S Myles Purchase, OLB Garmon Randolph, CB Nikko Reed, CB Eric Rogers, WR Devonte Ross, TE Evan Svoboda, OLB Nadame Tucker, QB DJ Uiagalelei, T Laekin Vakalahi, CB Isas Waxter, DL Terry Webb, WR Sincere Brown, WR Dalevon Campbell, OLB Kyle Kennard, RB Jaret Patterson, and P JK Scott.