Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

TE Zach Ertz Feared to Have Torn ACL in Commanders’ Blowout Loss to Vikings

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders were officially eliminated from playoff contention, and Sunday’s 31-0 shutout loss to Minnesota only made a bad year worse. A season that began with real hope after last year’s NFC Championship run has turned into a nightmare of injuries, blow leads, poor defense, and an offense that can’t stay on the field. Zach Ertz, now feared to have suffered a torn ACL is just the latest blow in a campaign that has seen the injury report grow longer every week.

Zach Ertz Suffered Devastating Knee Injury Against the Vikings

With 2:10 left in the third quarter, Ertz reached for a pass and took a low hit from Vikings safety Jay Ward, which many fans are calling it a dirty play from the safety. His right leg buckled awkwardly, and he immediately went down. He couldn’t put any weight on it, needed help off the field, and was soon carted to the locker room with a towel over his head.

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Coach Dan Quinn confirmed after the game that early signs point to torn ACL. At 35 years old and in the middle of a solid season, the injury could be career-altering or even career-ending for the veteran tight end who just moved into fifth place on the all-time tight end receptions list.

From Contenders to Collapse in One Year for the Commanders

A year ago Washington was playing in the NFC title game. This year they’re 4-10 already eliminated, and watching key players drop every week. Jayden Daniels has finished only four of seven starts and left Sunday’s game after landing on his previously dislocated left elbow.

Zach Ertz on the cart crying, Marcus Mariota says a prayer for him.

Jayden Daniels throwing his helmet, today was one to forget for the Commanders, heck, a season to forget 💔 pic.twitter.com/NEAXMqmmEy
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) December 7, 2025

The offensive line is patched together, receivers have been in and out, and now the tight end room is wrecked. Defensive lapses and an inability to close games turned early promise into a total free-fall. What was supposed to be a step forward has become one of the biggest one-year drop-offs in league. The focus now shifts to 2026 and praying the injury luck finally turns.

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.