The Detroit Lions’ magical season continued as they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 in their divisional round game. That earned them a trip to the NFC Championship Game and a matchup against the No. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers for the first time since the 1991 season. However, the team will have at least one new face on the side offensive this offseason.
Veteran tight end Zach Ertz was signed to the practice squad and is expected to be promoted before the game.
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Ertz was released by the Arizona Cardinals in November following news of his former teammate J.J. Watt. He was looking for a chance to compete for another Super Bowl ring, and that’s exactly what he’ll be able to do with the Lions. His signing became necessary after Brock Wright suffered a forearm injury against the Buccaneers.
Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t seem convinced that Wright could play against the 49ers.Because of Wright’s injury, star rookie Sam LaPorta, who is dealing with a knee injury himself, was the only healthy active tight end Sunday. That means Ertz could immediately play a role in the offensive game plan since Detroit doesn’t shy away from playing two tight sets.
With championship experience under his belt, Ertz is the perfect late-season addition for the Lions. He saw his role with the Cardinals diminish as the season progressed as they decided to give more reps to junior Trey McBride.
With a limited offensive role and the Cardinals rebuilding, he sought his release and it was granted. Unfortunately, Wright wasn’t Campbell’s only player and his staff will be replaced against the 49ers.
Starting guard Jonah Jackson will also miss the game after undergoing surgery for a minor meniscus tear, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. However, if the team were to advance to the Super Bowl, there is a possibility that Jackson could return to the lineup for that game.