The Detroit Lions signed tight end Zach Ertz and defensive lineman Tyson Alualu from the practice squad on Wednesday, placing tight end Brock Wright on injured reserve with a broken forearm.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Wednesday that Ertz was in the building and passed a physical before a team confirmation landed later in the afternoon.
Ertz took part in his first practice since he was released by the Arizona Cardinals to give him an opportunity to join a Super Bowl contender. The Lions will meet the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the NFC title game.
Alualu has appeared in the past four games for the Lions due to injuries.
Getting Ertz up to speed in the offense is more of a concern than conditioning, Campbell said.
“I know he’s in shape. We’re have to gauge this and see where he’s at. He’s played at a high level — it’s just a matter of, is this the week to use him,” Campbell said.
Ertz won Super Bowl LII as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Wright was the No. 2 tight end for the Lions this season, behind rookie Sam LaPorta. He broke his forearm in the second quarter of Sunday’s NFC Divisional Playoff win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, played in seven games for the struggling Cardinals in 2023, catching 27 passes for 187 yards with one touchdown. He caught six passes for 63 yards for the Cardinals at San Francisco on Oct. 1.
In 151 career games (113 starts) with the Eagles (2013-21) and Cardinals (2021-23), Ertz has 709 receptions for 7,434 yards with 46 touchdowns.
Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden is familiar with Ertz, having coached the same position for the Cardinals from 2019-22.
–Field Level Media
