Super Bowl champion leaves field in tears with potential career-ending injury after brutal ‘dirty’ hit

Zach Ertz left the field in tears after a brutal hit saw him suffer a knee injury that could end his career.

The Pro Bowl tight end somersaulted after being wiped out by Minnesota Vikings safety Jay Ward while taking a catch.

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He grabbed his right knee and was consoled by Washington Commanders teammate Marcos Mariota while waiting to be taken to the locker room on a cart wearing a leg brace.

Ertz, who won the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, covered his face with a towel and was immediately ruled out.

Ward went straight into the 35-year-old’s leg with his helmet while he was leaping to take a grab.

Fans thought the Vikings defender went too far.

“What a dirty hit! absolutely disgusting,” wrote one on X.

“One of the dirtiest hits I’ve ever seen,” added another.

“Might be the last time for Zach. Hate to see it. MM is such a leader,” a third posted.

“Extremely emotional for Zach Ertz as it may be his last time ever touching the field ever,” wrote a fourth.

If Ertz has suffered a serious knee injury, it could well be the last time he takes the field.

The veteran has been in the league since 2013, having been drafted in the second round by the Eagles.

He made three Pro Bowls in Philly before heading to the Arizona Cardinals and spending a brief stint with the Detroit Lions.

Ertz has been with the Commanders since 2024 and emerged as a useful outlet for Jayden Daniels, who was also injured in a Week 14 rout to the Vikings.

With 49 catches for 490 yards and four scores this season, the Washington star passed 8,000 career yards.

JJ McCarthy bounces back from concussion

It was better news for Minnesota quarterback JJ McCarthy, who shrugged off the critics with 163 passing yards and three scores to lead a 31-0 victory.

McCarthy suffered a concussion during a brutal performance against the Green Bay Packers where he went 12-of-19 for just 87 yards and two interceptions.

He missed the blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks that saw star wideout Justin Jefferson’s frustration get the better of him on the sideline.

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McCarthy logged a week of full practices ahead of the Commanders game and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell claims he is playing for his future over the last five weeks.

“If McCarthy returns from his concussion and shows signs of growth over the final month of the season, the Vikings should field competition for their starting job in camp next year,” he wrote.

“If he continues to look overmatched upon his return to the lineup, though, the Vikings might move forward with a new plan at quarterback, consigning McCarthy to a backup role after just a handful of pro starts.”

Among the options for an offseason move are Daniel Jones, who has starred since leaving the Vikings for the Indianapolis Colts but left their game injured on Sunday, and Kyler Murray.

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