Analysis

Ertz was Jayden Daniels' favorite target throughout the game, allowing him to post the first 100-yard performance of his career in the postseason as well as his first overall since Week 9 of the 2019 season. He was particularly productive throughout the second half, tallying long gains of 21 and 16 yards. Ertz will enter the offseason as a free agent, though he had a resurgent season and will likely land a short-term deal in Washington or elsewhere around the league.

Analysis

Ertz kicked off prep for the NFC Championship Game in the same manner as he did for the divisional round: DNP with listed rib/rest Wednesday. With an uncapped session now under his belt, the issue won't impede him from being available for Sunday's contest at Philadelphia, against whom he went for a combined 7-59-1 line on nine targets between two regular-season matchups.

Analysis

The Commanders listed Ertz as a non-participant in their first practice of the week last Tuesday with the same "ribs/rest" label before he upgraded to limited participation Wednesday and full participation Thursday. He headed into this past Saturday's 45-31 divisional-round win over the Lions without a designation, finishing with five catches for 28 yards and a touchdown on five targets. If he follows a similar practice pattern this week, Ertz should be fully cleared ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles.

Analysis

The veteran tight end finished second in receptions for the Commanders, but he was only fourth in receiving yards thanks to his short-area role. However, Ertz's value went beyond the stat sheet Saturday, even though his five-yard touchdown grab late in the first half did extend Washington's lead to 10 points at the time. Additionally, Ertz was able to convert a key fourth down early in the second quarter that led to him being checked for a concussion and which helped lead to a Brian Robinson one-yard touchdown run, and he also managed to handle a tricky bounce and recover an onside kick with 5:01 remaining and Washington up by 14 points. Ertz should once again play a key complementary role in an NFC Championship Game battle against either the Rams or his old Eagles squad Sunday, Jan. 26.

Analysis

In the first half of Saturday's back-and-forth affair, Ertz was checked for a concussion following a fourth-down connection with Jayden Daniels that eventually was followed by a Brian Robinson touchdown run. Ertz announced his return to the game with a TD of his own just before halftime and will look to build upon his 3-18-1 line on three targets.

Analysis

With the Commanders facing fourth-and-3 at the Lions' nine-yard line early in the second quarter, QB Jayden Daniels connected with Ertz for a seven-yard gain, but in the process of getting tackled the tight end took hits from multiple defenders and appeared to be banged-up afterward. If Ertz is diagnosed with a concussion, he'll finish Saturday's contest with two catches (on two targets) for 13 yards.

Analysis

Ertz progressed from no activity Tuesday to some Wednesday before logging a full session Thursday as he tended to a rib injury. With his status confirmed ahead of Saturday's contest, he should be in store for the 5.3 targets per game that he's averaged in 18 outings between the regular season and playoffs.

Analysis

On Washington's initial divisional-round injury report released Tuesday, Ertz was listed as a non-participant in practice due to both the rib issue and rest, but only the rib issue appears next to his name on Wednesday's report. Ertz is likely just getting some extra maintenance ahead of Saturday's game against the Lions, as Commanders head coach Dan Quinn hasn't suggested that the veteran tight end's status for the contest is in any jeopardy. In the Commanders' wild-card win over the Buccaneers this past Sunday, Ertz played 62 percent of the snaps on offense and finished with two catches for 23 yards on four targets.

Analysis

Ertz failed to continue the scoring binge he went on in the second half of the regular season, but he still played a vital role in the Commanders advancing to the next round of the playoffs. The veteran tight end's receptions came on successful third- and fourth-down attempts as Washington dominated the time-of-possession game Sunday. Look for Ertz to remain involved as a key safety valve for Jayden Daniels as the sixth-seeded Commanders visit the No. 1-seeded Lions in Saturday's divisional round matchup.