What some viewed as stunted growth, Zach Ertz saw as a potential long-term benefit.
The Eagles' tight end returned Wednesday for their first regular-season practice. Ertz went down in training camp with a core muscle (or groin) injury on Aug. 12 and had surgery to repair it on Aug. 14.
But physically, Ertz had been bothered in that area for quite a while, which required lengthy stretching routines before practice. The operation he underwent eased that discomfort.
"I've been hampered by this for a long time — I think it happened midway through my rookie year probably," Ertz revealed Wednesday. "It's something that I've been battling through for a while, just getting it warmed up. It was a full-day process getting it going and warmed up to practice.
"In the long run, it could be a blessing in disguise that I got this done and hopefully all the pain I've been going through is behind me."
Ertz did not commit to playing on Monday Night Football in Atlanta. He'll likely be a game-time decision. The initial recovery timetable was four to six weeks and he's just now approaching the four-week mark.
He says he's right on schedule, though. Ertz consulted with the doctor last Friday and heard what he wanted to hear.
"The doctor cleared me, that's about all I can go from," Ertz said. "I've approached it to get healthy for this game and I think I've made strides in that department. But Doc coming out there, seeing me run routes and saying I was ready to go was a very good sign.
"I don't want to miss any games. I worked so hard all offseason to be ready for the games and make an impact for this team, so when the games come around, if I have an opportunity to play I'm gonna play. Obviously, we have to be smart with it because it's the first game of a long season."
Ertz made up for some lost time Wednesday, catching balls out of the Jugs machine after a 90-minute practice in the sweltering South Philadelphia heat. The humidity made 91 degrees feel like 110, and it's safe to assume the guys lost a few pounds just being out there.
But even the practice time and preseason games Ertz missed didn't result in a complete waste. He was out at practice every day, albeit off to the side, and he used that time to diagnose plays and coverages from afar.
"I was out there playing the game mentally, watching practice film, talking to Sam (Bradford) about what he saw even though I wasn't the guy running [the route]," Ertz said. "Sam and I kind of see the game the same way, which helps."
