Zach Ertz cruises for 1st touchdown as a member of the Arizona Cardinals

Oct 24, 2021, 3:39 PM | Updated: 7:38 pm

Zach Ertz didn’t take long to assert himself as a new member of the Arizona Cardinals.

On the second play of the 31-5 win against the Houston Texans on Sunday, he tipped a pass to himself in traffic for an 11-yard first-down catch.

Two catches later, he had his first touchdown as a member of the Cardinals.

INTRODUCING… ZACH ERTZ.@ZERTZ_86 x #NationalTightEndsDay pic.twitter.com/gdSYxHsLLB

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 24, 2021

The tight end, who was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles 10 days prior, swooped across the middle of the field and turned upfield to receive a pass from Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray. He tacked 30 yards after the catch on the pass of 17 air yards for a 47-yard score to get the Cardinals off to a strong second-half start.

The total length was a career-high for Ertz.

He scored with eight minutes to go in the third quarter and put Arizona ahead, 24-5.

Ertz had three catches for 66 yards after the play, tying receiver A.J. Green for the team-high in yardage.

NextGenStats had the play clocking in with a 3.1% touchdown probability, but Ertz had help from a Texans secondary that wasn’t in great position — not to mention that Arizona receiver Christian Kirk from his deep route ran back into the fray to make a key block for the final few yards of Ertz’s touchdown run.

Kyler Murray & Zach Ertz (47-yard TD)

Ertz reached a top speed of 17.94 mph on the play, his fastest speed as a ball carrier over the last four seasons (since 2018).

🔹 Yards After Catch: 30
🔹 YAC Over Expected: +17
🔹 TD Probability: 3.1%#HOUvsAZ | #RedSea pic.twitter.com/yLwNjSyz9c

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 24, 2021

Follow @AZSports

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates his fumble recovery against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after a tackle against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green pulls in a pass as Houston Texans cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) pulls in a touchdown pass as Houston Texans outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (51) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Devon Kennard, right, and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons, center, tackle Houston Texans tight end Jordan Akins (88) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (2) runs as Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas (37) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) looks towards the referees during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs as Houston Texans outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (51) makes the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) runs as Houston Texans cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (26) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is hit by Houston Texans middle linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates a defensive stop against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown against the Houston Texans with running back James Conner during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Houston Texans defensive tackle Roy Lopez (91) battles Arizona Cardinals guard Justin Pugh during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive back Desmond King (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws over Houston Texans defensive end DeMarcus Walker (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner avoids the tackle of Houston Texans outside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates his sack against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Julie Ertz watches her husband, Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) scores a touchdown as Houston Texans outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (51) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is tackled by Houston Texans defensive back Desmond King (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner celebrates his touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tries to avoid Houston Texans outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (51) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs for a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Victor Dimukeje (52) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (2) runs against the Houston Texans after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-5. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) and defensive end J.J. Watt leave the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-5. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-5. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-5. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals fans cheer during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-5. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Houston Texans head coach David Culley leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-5. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-5. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) scores a touchdown as Houston Texans middle linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.