Report: Detroit Lions won't activate TE Zach Ertz for NFC Championship game vs. 49ers

Zach Ertz won’t get a chance to play in Sunday’s NFC Championship game.

After signing with the Detroit Lions last week, the former Arizona Cardinals tight end was expected to be elevated from the Lions’ practice squad in time to play against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, however, Ertz won’t be activated for Sunday’s game, despite working hard the past few days to learn the playbook and get up to speed.

The Lions are short-handed at tight end after placing Brock Wright and James Mitchell on injured reserve. The only healthy tight ends on the active roster are rookie Sam LaPorta and veteran Anthony Firkser.

Fowler’s report doesn’t come as a big surprise considering Lions coach Dan Campbell had indicated there were no guarantees Ertz would be activated against the 49ers.

“He understands we’re just going to gauge this and see where we’re at,” Campbell said on Wednesday. “So, he’ll be out there (at practice). He’s played. Played at a high level. There are things that he does well, and it’s just a matter of, is this the week to use him.”

Ertz, 33, asked for and was granted his release by the Cardinals on Nov. 30 after appearing in 28 games with Arizona over the past three seasons following his acquisition in a trade with the Eagles. He wanted out so he could sign with a contender in hopes of winning another Super Bowl. He won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2018.

Ertz ranks eighth all-time among NFL tight ends in career catches and 12^th in total receiving yards. He had 130 receptions for 1,167 yards and eight touchdowns during his time with the Cardinals and has 709 receptions in his career for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Report: Former Cardinals TE Zach Ertz won't play Sunday vs. 49ers