Commanders tight end Zach Ertz shared a positive message after suffering a season-ending knee injury in a shutout 31-0 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.
“Broken But Never Beaten,” Ertz wrote, including an image of himself in his No. 86 uniform with a prayer.
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His wife, Julie Ertz — an American retired soccer star and two-time Women’s World Cup Champion — reshared his message to her Instagram Story.
Ertz was injured when he tried to reel in a pass from Marcus Mariota, Washington’s backup quarterback, and took a hit from Minnesota defensive back Jay Ward in the third quarter.
The 35-year-old, who’s in his 13th NFL season, was visibly emotional while being carted off with his leg in a brace.
Ertz played 34 snaps and had one catch on two targets for 11 yards before exiting the game in what would be Washington’s eighth straight loss.
Zach Ertz and Julie Ertz attends the Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Super Bowl Party at the Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on February 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) is carted off the field after an injury during the second half against the Vikinings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota on December 7, 2025. Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Star Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels left Sunday’s game with a left elbow injury shortly before Ertz did.
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Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters after the game that Daniels was held out for precautionary reasons and could have gone back in.
Daniels dislocated that same elbow in Week 9 and missed three games. He returned Sunday against the Vikings.
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Ertz tallied 50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns in his second season with Washington.
The former Super Bowl champion tight end’s future is up in the air after he signed a one-year contract with the Commanders for this season, with retirement a possibility.
Ertz was a key part in helping Washington reach the NFC Championship Game in January.
The Commanders were beaten by Philadelphia, the eventual Super Bowl champions, 55-23.