It seems like the perennial favorite for Philadelphia Eagles fans and media to have a breakout season, tight end Zach Ertz, won't be delivering on the ample promise he's shown again this offseason anytime soon. Ertz, per Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, suffered a groin injury and will now be out "a few weeks." Despite the injury, per Parks, Ertz should be able to return for the Eagles Week One matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. At his Friday press conference, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly indicated that Ertz should be fine "long-term," but that he didn't know if Ertz's injury would require surgery, per Michael Barkann of CSN Philly. Ertz has seen a doctor, per Chip, who advised that he be "shut down" now to avoid having to deal with the injury mid-season.
UPDATE, 1:25 PM: Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that Ertz will have a "procedure" to fix a "minor tear."
Ertz, set to enter his third NFL season, was again viewed by many in and around the Eagles franchise as a potential breakout candidate. While the lithe tight end did finish the 2014 season with 58 receptions for 702 yards and three touchdowns, the totals paled in comparison to the expectations placed on him after his work during last offseason. Ertz has again been wowing teammates and coaches alike with his efforts during the course of this latest preseason.
"Oh absolutely, he has the prerequisites, he has the size, he has the speed, he has the hands and now, once you get that, its like 'okay, now what are you going to do?' Because I guarantee the [Rob] Gronkowski's and Jimmy Graham, those guys work and Ertz, he works his butt off," Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez said. "I mean, he's catching tennis balls, he's catching footballs, he's out there doing something with those bags [right now].
Ertz revealed that he even sought out the help of future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonazlez this offseason. He also worked on his blocking technique - something that kept him off the field and limited his opportunities at times last season - with retired offensive line coach Hudson Houck, according to Zach Berman of Philly.com.
Ertz has been looking to see the field more often than the 50 percent of Philly offensive snaps he garnered last year. The team has been encouraged.
"We're seeing it, certainly," offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. "I think he's a more efficient blocker. Obviously, his redeeming quality as a tight end is as a pass receiver. We all know that. But what's important is what was maybe not considered a redeeming quality, you improve at, and we've seen those improvements that he's focused on in the offseason."
Unfortunately, Ertz, the Eagles coaching staff and Philadelphia fans will have to wait a while before seeing the full results of the improvements Ertz was able to make this offseason. In his absence, veteran Brent Celek and all-purpose swiss army knife Trey Burton are likely to see the lion's share of tight end touches.
