PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles are signing tight end Zach Ertz to their practice squad, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday evening, bringing back the three-time Pro Bowl player as they deal with multiple injuries at the position.
Starter Dallas Goedert is likely to sit out a few weeks because of a sprained MCL he sustained in Sunday's win over the Tennessee Titans, sources told Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport earlier Monday.
Injuries have hit the Eagles' tight end room hard. Rookie Eli Stowers, the team's second-round pick, is on injured reserve (quad/hamstring), as is veteran Grant Calcaterra (back).
That leaves Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins as the only healthy tight end options currently on the 53-man roster, and both are considered primarily blocking tight ends.
Enter Ertz, the 14-year veteran who is only 11 receptions shy of breaking the franchise record (Harold Carmichael, 589). He has been working back from an ACL tear he sustained in December and is said to be in good health.
Ertz, 35, spent his first eight-plus years in Philadelphia before he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in October 2021. He made all three of his Pro Bowls with the Eagles and helped them to their first Super Bowl championship during the 2017 season.
"First, I'd say what an unbelievable player, what an unbelievable person, tremendous respect for him," general manager Howie Roseman said in August, when asked if he had any interest in bringing back Ertz. "At the same time, love what we have going in our tight end room, too. I would say, have talked to Zach over a period of time, obviously rehabbing his ACL and the relationship, just like a lot of our former players who've been here.
"In my opinion, one of the greatest tight ends to play the game and just tremendous respect for him, and also excited about the tight ends that we have here."
Goedert was targeted twice and had one catch for 4 yards before leaving the game Sunday because of the injury in the second quarter. He is coming off his best season in 2025 when he reached career highs of 60 receptions and 11 touchdowns.
Goedert, 31, is in his ninth season with the Eagles after being picked in the second round of the 2018 draft.
"I know this: Howie will do everything he can possibly do to help this roster in every situation," coach Nick Sirianni said Monday. "I'm so appreciative to have a partner [in] Howie of who I have there, and I know he'll do everything he can do if we are without Dallas, but we'll see where we are. Sometimes it feels like when a position gets banged up a little bit, you see it in waves in certain groups."
Ertz's 825 receptions rank fifth all time by a tight end. His 8,592 yards receiving ranks are eighth by a tight end.
ESPN's John Keim contributed to this report.