Arizona Cardinals veteran tight end Zach Ertz has been placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a quad strain in Sunday’s loss versus the Seattle Seahawks.

The #Cardinals are placing three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz on injured reserve with a quad strain suffered during the game Sunday, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo.

Ertz is out at least four games, but the plan is for him to return this season. Ertz has 27 catches this season.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 24, 2023

It’s a tough blow for Ertz as he is coming off a season ending knee injury he suffered last season. He has looked relatively healthy during the beginning of the season and was really involved in the offense. However, these past few weeks, he has been splitting playing time with Trey McBride which is understandable given where Ertz is in his career.

Arizona TE Trey McBride has already played over 50% of snaps and had 5+ targets in each of the last 2 games. 98% available. Will get Kyler Murray back soon. https://t.co/VRCGf4kvi6

— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) October 24, 2023

McBride was a second round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and won the John Mackey Award for the best tight end in the country. Now with Ertz in the shelf for the minimum four games, McBride now has a chance to lead this passing attack at the tight end position. From where the Cardinals are this season, they would like to see their young guys get the most playing time as they look to build for the future. The Cardinals also want to see Kyler Murray under this new coaching staff to decide on whether they should keep him.

The Arizona Cardinals are +20000 to win the NFC West according to Arizona sportsbooks.

Zach Ertz is an established veteran and should be involved whenever he comes back. Luckily this injury is not supposed to end his season, so he will be a good mentor for the young McBride.