Zach Ertz Injury Update Brings Optimistic Turn for Fantasy Value in NFC Wild Game Against Seahawks

After missing Week 17 due to a fractured rib and a lacerated kidney, Zach Ertz's status was very much in doubt for the Philadelphia Eagles' NFC Wild Card Game against the Seattle Seahawks. However, that's no longer the case — much to Eagles fans' delight.

The Eagles' Pro Bowl tight end has now been medically cleared to play against the Seahawks on Sunday afternoon in the NFC Wild Card Round.

Zach Ertz has been medically cleared to play tomorrow, according to our @RealDGunnNBCS

I’m told he had a small or very small cut on his kidney and it has healed quickly

He’s been wearing a flak jacket at practices
https://t.co/Y8Kqi9iNLz
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 4, 2020

Ertz, who leads the Eagles in receptions (88), receiving yards (916) and receiving touchdowns (six), should give Philly's injury-depleted offense a much-needed boost on Sunday.

The Seahawks have one of the league's worst fantasy defenses against tight ends this season, allowing 15.2 PPR points per game (PPG) to players at the position (No. 31 in the NFL).

From @NFLGameDay: #Eagles TE Zach Ertz is a go vs the #Seahawks, as @RealDGunnNBCS tweeted. Seattle has been preparing all week as if he’d play. pic.twitter.com/h1FOTZWctn
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 4, 2020

Philly's backup tight end Dallas Goedert, who was our top-ranked tight end for Wild Card Weekend prior to Saturday's news, should now see a reduced role with Ertz expected to return.

However, Goedert should still be considered a viable tight end fantasy play this weekend, as he's scored two touchdowns and averaged 7.5 targets per game in the last six contests he played alongside Ertz in the Eagles' lineup.

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Mike Esposito is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Mike Esposito also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username espo6891. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.