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    Beat: Eagles to activate Ertz for Week 3 MNF game

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    PHI Tight End #86
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    The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reports that Eagles TE Zach Ertz is expected to be activated off the practice squad for the Eagles’ Week 3 game against the Bears.

    Ertz makes for a dicey starting option in season-long leagues, but he’s stuck around this long for a reason. It stands to reason that the Eagles will keep him on a snap count, but if he’s feeling good in-game, they could allow him to get a little extra action.
Key factors in Steelers-Browns TNF matchup
Chris Simms and Connor Rogers preview Thursday Night Football with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on AFC North rival Cleveland Browns and share their picks and predictions for the game.

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  • PHI Tight End #88
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    That leaves Goedert extremely likely to miss his second consecutive contest when the Eagles host the Rams this Sunday. Zach Ertz was Goedert’s feel-good Week 3 fill-in, but Ertz’s 38 percent snap share ended up producing one catch on two targets. With this entire offense looking rather sluggish at the moment, Ertz does not have TE2 streamer appeal.
  • PHI Tight End #86
    Ertz saw his snaps managed after both signing with the team Tuesday and returning from a torn ACL suffered in 2025, grabbing one of two targets in his first game in an Eagles uniform since 2021. There is very little fantasy upside here even as Dallas Goedert nurses an MCL sprain. Ertz can safely be left on the waiver wire.
  • PHI Tight End #86
    The veteran tight end is reportedly healthy enough following ACL surgery to be brought in as a replacement for Dallas Goedert, the latter of whom is expected to miss multiple weeks with a sprained MCL. Ertz spent the first seven seasons of his professional career in Philadelphia before a three-year stint with the Cardinals and two more with the Commanders. The 12-year veteran turns 36 in November and profiles as a low-upside role player for as long as Goedert remains out, should he receive game-day call-ups from the practice squad.
  • FA Tight End #86
    Ertz is on the mend after tearing his ACL last year. While nothing is imminent, Ertz could make sense for the Eagles current tight end room. Philadelphia is lacking in legitimate receiving options behind Dallas Goedart despite keeping four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster. Ertz turns 36 in November and is unlikely to be a fantasy factor at this point in his career, but could still be an upgrade on the Eagles’ current tight end depth.
  • FA Tight End #86
    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.
  • FA Tight End #86
    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.

Rotoworld

  • MIA Wide Receiver #7
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    Caleb Douglas (ankle) was not seen practicing on Thursday.

    We expect to see Douglas listed with a second DNP next to his name today, putting him on the wrong side of questionable for Week 4 against the Vikings. Were he indeed to miss this week’s game, WRs Chris Bell (knee) and Malik Washington would benefit. Washington’s target volume is somewhat intriguing, but Bell looks like the far more talented player.
  • NYG Running Back #29
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    Giants RB Tyrone Tracy (knee) resumed practicing on Thursday.

    The Giants’ RB3 is seemingly on track to be active for Week 4 against the Cardinals. Unfortunately, Giants LT Andrew Thomas (groin) was not seen practicing during the portion of practice open to the media. He did not practice yesterday either and should currently be considered questionable to play.
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    Buccaneers OC Zac Robinson said game flow and productivity have limited RB Kenny Gainwell’s usage.

    The Buccaneers are 0-3, so if trailing game scripts aren’t the ideal setup for a receiving specialist, we aren’t sure what is. Robinson said he would like to get Gainwell more involved, but also added that Gainwell has to earn those reps by being more productive. Robinson said he also wants to get RB3 Sean Tucker more involved during the same presser. It sounds like this backfield still belongs to starting RB Bucky Irving, who is dealing with a glute injury, but changes are at least being considered.
  • TB Running Back #44
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    Buccaneers OC Zac Robinson said he wants to get RB Sean Tucker going.

    Robinson described Tucker as being “special with the ball in his hands,” and said that it’s on the coaching staff to find spots to mix him in. Whether this impacts starting RB Bucky Irving basically comes down to how and when — and if — the Buccaneers get Tucker involved. Taking a few snaps away from RB2 Kenneth Gainwell would be no big deal. Utilizing Tucker in the red zone would be consequential for Irving. Hopefully, Robinson provides more insight before his team’s Week 4 game against the Packers. Stay tuned.
  • NYG Outside Linebacker #0
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    The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reports that Giants OLB Brian Burns “tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee, in addition to tearing his ACL.”

    Per Duggan, Burns is “scheduled to undergo surgery to repair both injuries” today. His “repair” terminology is unfortunate because it indicates that the meniscus tear was significant enough that a trim would be insufficient. Burns, 28, could face a longer recovery timeline than initially expected, but players are recovering from serious injuries fairly quickly these days. Burns suffered these injuries on September 27th. His teammate, Malik Nabers, suffered similar injuries on September 28th last year, yet was ready for the 2026 season opener.
  • SEA Running Back #26
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    Seahawks designated Zach Charbonnet (knee) to return from the reserve/PUP list.

    Charbonnet will return to practice this week. The team now has 21 days to officially activate him from the injured reserve. It’s unclear how much of that window they will use to get him up to full speed. He has to miss at least one more game while on the PUP list. Charbonnet tore his ACL in Seattle’s first playoff game last year. The team talked about his quick recovery throughout the offseason and that will be the case, even if he uses all three weeks of his practice window. Once he returns, Charbonnet will at least take over the roles of George Holani and Emanuel Wilson, who have been splitting the backfield with Jadarian Price so far. He could even work himself into the starting job if Price continues to struggle with fumbles.
  • TB Wide Receiver #14
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    Chris Godwin (ankle) returned to practice on Thursday.

    It will likely go down as a limited session for the veteran wideout, but Godwin should be on track to play in Week 4. The bad news is that he will do so with UDFA rookie Jalon Daniels as his quarterback. Godwin was already off to a slow start, and things aren’t likely to improve with a backup quarterback under center. He is low-wattage FLEX play for Week 4.
  • SF Wide Receiver #5
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    49ers GM John Lynch said Mike Evans (ribs) “will make every attempt” to play in Week 4 against the Broncos.

    Evans took a shot to the midsection in Week 3 and had to be carted to the locker room. He did not practice on Wednesday, but Evans is the type of player who can miss all three practices and still suit up. If he does, the 49ers will likely put him on a pitch count. If he can’t go, expect the passing attack to run through George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, with plenty of check-downs for Christian McCaffrey as well.
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    Jayden Daniels (elbow) said he “feels good” and is taking his recovery day to day.

    Daniels was limited in practice on Wednesday and was on the practice field again today, presumably for another limited session. He isn’t expected to play this week, but any amount of practice this soon is a good sign. He told reporters he won’t make a final decision on surgery until after the season. He is, however, at least holding off until the offseason. Marcus Mariota will almost certainly start again this week. Daniels will then have a chance to return in Week 5 against the Giants.
  • WAS Running Back #1
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    Rachaad White (shoulder) did not practice Thursday.

    With two DNPs to start the week, White looks unlikely to suit up for Week 4 against the Colts. Austin Ekeler traveled with the team after signing with the team earlier this week, so he could ultimately take on White’s role. Backup running back Kayton Allen could also see more work, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt remains the clear lead back in Washington for now. He is on the RB2/3 border for Week 4.