Report: Cardinals' Ertz on track to play Week 1 after knee injury

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz has been fully cleared for football activities and is on track to play Week 1, reports NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Ertz hasn't played since November 2022 after tearing his ACL and MCL.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed that Ertz will return to the practice field.

"He's coming off PUP this week. We'll get him out there," Gannon said, according to Paul Calvisi of 98.7 Arizona Sports. "He's excited."

Despite appearing in only 10 games last season, Ertz led the Cardinals with four touchdown receptions. He also caught 47 passes for 406 yards.

The 32-year-old's 103 catches rank second among Cardinals players since 2021 behind DeAndre Hopkins' 106.

Arizona acquired Ertz in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2021 campaign. The three-time Pro Bowler played his first eight NFL seasons in Philly after being drafted in the second round in 2013. The Stanford product holds the single-season record among tight ends with 116 catches (2018).

The Cardinals' offense heads into the upcoming season with several question marks, as quarterback Kyler Murray remains sidelined due to a torn ACL. Arizona also released Hopkins, its former No. 1 receiver, and hired offensive coordinator Drew Petzing this offseason.

Coming off a 4-13 campaign, Arizona opens its 2023 regular season on the road against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 10.

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