Lions adding 3-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz to provide much-needed depth

Allen Park — When Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta suffered a knee injury in the season finale, the team opted not to add depth at the position. But following a season-ending practice injury suffered by James Mitchell, followed by Brock Wright breaking his forearm in Sunday's victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team was left with no choice but to seek reinforcements.

The team has found them in former three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz, who will initially sign with the team's practice squad. The news was first reported by the NFL Network. A team source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the agreement to the Detroit News.

Ertz, who reached a mutual agreement to be let out his contract with the Arizona Cardinals in late November, will reunite with former position coach Steve Heiden in Detroit. Working together last season, the then-32-year-old Ertz tallied 47 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games.

For his career, the 12-year veteran has caught 709 balls for 7,434 yards and 46 scores. In Super Bowl LII, he had seven grabs for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Philadelphia Eagles championship win over the Patriots.

In Detroit, he'll provide depth behind LaPorta , the record-setting rookie, and Anthony Firkser, who played 12 offensive snaps in Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers

NFC Championship

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▶ Records: Detroit (12-5), San Francisco (12-5)

▶ Line: 49ers by 7