Zach Ertz left today’s Washington Commanders game with what is feared to be a serious right knee injury, likely a torn ACL, after a low hit against the Minnesota Vikings.
What happened on the play
Late in the third quarter of the Commanders’ 31–0 loss to the Vikings, Ertz went up for a pass over the middle and was hit low in his right leg by Minnesota safety Jay Ward. His knee bent awkwardly, he immediately signaled for help, could not put weight on the leg, and was helped to the sideline before being carted to the locker room and later seen on crutches.
Injury severity and early diagnosis
Head coach Dan Quinn said after the game that the team fears Ertz suffered a torn ACL in his right knee and that an MRI is scheduled to confirm the diagnosis. A sports medicine analyst who reviewed the play suggested the injury could involve major ligament damage and potentially be career- threatening given Ertz’s age (35) and prior ACL/MCL tear in his other knee, though this is not an official medical ruling.
What it means going forward
If the MRI confirms an ACL tear, Ertz would almost certainly miss the rest of the 2025 season and face a lengthy rehab. Before the injury, he had been a key veteran target for Washington, with around 49–50 catches for just under 500 yards and four touchdowns on the year, so his absence will significantly impact the Commanders’ offense.
