Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz met with the Rams on Thursday for the first time since his season-ending knee injury and although the main reason for his new conference was the reaction to his nomination for the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, he revealed how bad his injury was.
“It was an ACL and MCL,” Ertz said, referring to a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn medial collateral ligament. “We didn’t think the ACL was involved early on but it was partially torn and it wouldn’t have lasted long so we had to go in and do both. I’m glad it’s behind me now.
“I would have hated to say, ‘Hey, let’s see if it can hold up over the long term’ and then regret that decision a year from now. Now, as soon as I’m fully recovered and ready to go, I’ll be back to myself.”
Ertz, who has two more seasons under his belt, said the goal is to be ready to play Week 1 next season. He cannot say when he will be fit enough to train but hopes to attend the training camp to prepare for the game.
Ertz had a stellar season before his injury, catching 47 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns.
“Of course it was very hard. I’ve never had a season (with such) abruptness. It was just ‘You’re done,'” Ertz said. “I felt like I was playing really good football personally and of course it was difficult for me not to translate that into the victories that we were all expecting.”
Welcoming the birth of his first child with his wife Julie — a son they named Madden — and being the Cardinals’ pick for the Walter Payton Award helped make up for a lost season. Being nominated in just his second year in Arizona, he said, makes it even more special.
“I haven’t been here as long as I’ve been in Philly, but I think it speaks to how great this organization has been for us,” said Ertz, who shared a podium with his wife and child. “From the minute I walked through the doors, I felt something special, not just within the team but from the top down and the culture as a whole. To be nominated for this award in just my second year means a lot to me.
“I’ve said it since I got out of here, this is where I want to retire and obviously I still feel a lot like that and a lot of it is just because of the people in this building. But it is definitely something special.”
Ertz, along with his charitable foundation, the Ertz Family Foundation and The Athletes’ Corner, have provided 1.4 million meals to families in need with the help of Feeding America. Ertz is also still giving back to his former home in Philadelphia, which includes building the House of Hope in Hunting Park, Pennsylvania, which will provide a safe place for local youth.
Injury report
Four players didn’t practice for the Cardinals Thursday — cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. This may interest you : City of Hope Orange County Brings Athletes, Community Together to Design Dozens of Wooden Ribbons for Lung Cancer Survivors. (back), wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins (illness) and Rondale Moore (groin), and offensive lineman Rashaad Coward (chest).
Defensive lineman Trysten Hill (hamstring) and safety Charles Washington (chest) were limited, while receiver Greg Dortch (thumb) was a full participant.
Five players did not practice for the Patriots. They were left tackle Trent Brown (illness), running back Damien Harris (hamstring), receiver Jakobi Meyers (concussion), cornerback Jalen Mills (groin) and right tackle Isiah Wynn (foot). Backup tackle Yodny Cajuste (calf/back) was limited.
Elimination scenarios
Quarterback Kyler Murray was asked this week if, despite the Cardinals’ 4-8 record overall and their 1-4 standings within the NFC West, he considered the team’s tiny potential path to the playoffs, and he seemed genuine in his answer to be honest. Read also : The Philadelphia Eagles are hosting an open practice at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, August 7, 2022..
“It’s hard not to imagine or try to look forward, but no,” Murray said. “We have to keep managing the main thing. Of course there are tons of scenarios that may need to take place, but we can only control what we can control.”
Even then, it’s not much as the Cardinals currently only have a 1 percent chance of returning to the postseason after last season’s 11-6 finish and early NFC wildcard loss to the Rams. There’s virtually no chance of clinching the 8-4 49ers for the NFC West title despite Arizona playing San Francisco in Week 18.
If the Cardinals lose to the visiting Patriots Monday night, they can’t win the division. If the 49ers beat the Buccaneers, the Cardinals are out too. If Arizona New England ties and the Seahawks beat or tie the Panthers, the Cardinals are out too.
Now, if the Cardinals defeat the Patriots at State Farm Stadium on Monday Night Football, they’ll mathematically still be alive in the overall NFC playoff race. However, if they lose, they would be officially eliminated from the pursuit if the Seahawks also beat Carolina and the Giants win or tie their game against the Eagles.
Rham-rod running back
The Cardinals will face a powerful ball carrier Monday night in Patriots sophomore Rhamondre Stevenson, who looks even taller than his 6-foot, 230-pound frame. See the article : Federal lawsuits accuse cheerleading industry of sexually abusing minors.
Taking him down is a chore, and he not only leads New England in rushing (734 yards on 161 carries) but also leads the team in receptions with 56 for 383 yards.
“He’s going to be very busy with the game plan and a guy we’re going to need all 11 men to go to,” Cardinals safety Budda Baker said. “He’s a big guy. … Watching the movie and seeing guys shy away from tackles and D-Linemen tackles him, I know what kind of player he is. He’s definitely a guy I’ll look forward to tackling and he’s a guy I definitely need to wrap up.
Toy drive
The Cardinals are hosting a toy drive presented by Desert Financial Credit Union to support Helping Hands ahead of the team’s game Monday night at State Farm Stadium.
Volunteers will team up with Cardinals cheerleaders to collect new bulky toys and donations outside each stadium entrance near security checkpoints. Fans can also make monetary donations via a QR code that will be posted throughout the stadium.
Arizona Helping Hands is the largest provider of basic needs to Arizona’s more than 15,000 foster children. For more information on how you can help, visit www.azhelpinghands.org.
