Lions signing veteran TE Zach Ertz to practice squad

The NFC Championship Game-bound Detroit Lions are adding a well-known tight end.

The Lions are signing three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday, per sources informed of the situation.

Ertz will start on the club’s practice squad with a chance to be elevated for the NFC Championship game in San Francisco, Pelissero added.

The 33-year-old requested and secured his release from Arizona in late November after returning from a quad injury.

The Lions needed aid in the tight end room after No. 2 Brock Wright suffered a forearm injury in Detroit’s Divisional Round win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Sunday, Wright caught a pivotal third-and-1 pass from Jared Goff, rumbling for 29 yards, a team-long reception. Coach Dan Campbell said after the game it didn’t “look real good” for Wright’s availability against the Niners.

Last week, the Lions placed tight end James Mitchell on injured reserve and elevated backup Anthony Firkser to the active roster.

Star rookie Sam LaPorta, who caught nine passes for 65 yards on Sunday, has been battling through a knee injury suffered in the regular-season finale.

All the injuries made finding depth for the TE room necessary for the Lions. Adding a savvy veteran at this stage is about as good an addition as a team can hope for. Ertz reunites with former Arizona tight ends coach Steve Heiden in Detroit, which should aid in getting the veteran up to speed ahead of Sunday’s contest.