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Former Stanford Tight End Zach Ertz Signs With The Detroit Lions Ahead Of NFC Championship Game

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On Monday, the Detroit Lions added a proven veteran to their squad to help out with their Super Bowl push, as they signed former Stanford star tight end Zach Ertz.

Ertz is expected to replace Brock Wright, who went down with an injury in their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. According to the NFL Network, the plan is for Ertz to sign with the Lions' practice squad, which he will then be elevated for the NFC title game after, to pair him with Sam LaPorta. 

Ertz started the season with the Arizona Cardinals where he racked up 27 catches for 187 yards and a score through seven games before being released. According to part-time NFL insider and future hall-of-famer JJ Watt, the reason Ertz was released was so a contender could sign him down the stretch. 

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, United States; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports

With just two wins, the Lions can win and appear in what would be their first-ever Super Bowl as a franchise. A win in the biggest game of them all would give Ertz his second-career Super Bowl ring as he was a big part of the Philadelphia Eagles' title run back in 2018 in a game that saw him bring in seven catches for 67 yards and a score.

Ertz will be going head-to-head with fellow former Stanford star, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey who led San Francisco to the NFC title game with two rushing scores on Saturday.