LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Zach Ertz is playing for the Washington Commanders on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles a week after leaving their last game at New Orleans with a concussion.
The veteran tight end and safety Jeremy Chinn were each active after going through concussion protocol and getting cleared. Coach Dan Quinn on Friday ruled out only defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who is eligible to come off injured reserve two months after surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle, leaving the door open for Ertz and Chinn to play in a game that could get Washington into the playoffs.
Ertz, 34, is facing the Eagles for just the second time with both meetings coming this season. He played his first eight and a half NFL seasons with Philadelphia and helped the team win the Super Bowl in the 2017 season.
Trailing only Terry McLaurin, Ertz has been rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels' second-most popular receiver. He has 54 catches for 526 yards and four touchdowns this season.
The Commanders can clinch a spot in the postseason with a victory and losses by Atlanta and either Seattle or the Los Angeles Rams. The Eagles can clinch the NFC East and one of the top two seeds in the conference if they win their 11th game in a row.
Commanders cornerback Michael Davis was a healthy scratch in Marshon Lattimore’s second game with them. Eagles receiver A.J. Brown, who was limited in practice late in the week because of a knee injury, is playing after saying confidently he would.
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Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) makes a catch in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates the team's 42-19 win against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation at Liverpool is complete after the Egypt forward returned to the team for its 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
The question now as Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations: Is there a future for him at Anfield when he comes back?
Salah, who let rip last weekend about his current frustrations at Liverpool, entered as a 26th-minute substitute to a big ovation and set up the second of Hugo Ekitike’s goals as the defending champion extended its unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.
Also Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and was set on its way to victory by Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months. First-place Arsenal hosts last-place Wolverhampton later.
Salah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome their issues and the result was that Salah was recalled to the matchday squad for the Brighton game. He had been a substitute for the last three Premier League matches before being left at home for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan as a punishment for his explosive comments to reporters last weekend.
“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad," Slot said. “I have said many times before what has been said between us will stay between us.”
Liverpool's fans demonstrated they are willing to excuse Salah for his show of anger and gave him a rapturous welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.
By then, Liverpool was leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike's rising shot inside the first minute and Salah showed glimpses of his class, especially on the counterattack. It was Salah's corner kick that was headed in by Ekitike for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.
Slot said Salah was a threat all game.
“Pleasing to see but not a surprise,” Slot said.
Salah could be away for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the Africa Cup.
It was a second straight start for Palmer, whose season has been blighted by a groin injury that has restricted him to seven games in all competitions.
There looked to be nothing wrong with Palmer when he ran onto Malo Gusto's pass and slipped a finish inside the near post to give Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.
However, Palmer said after the game that he wasn't at his best yet because he was “still dealing with an injury.”
“It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon,” Palmer told the BBC. “Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”
Gusto added the second goal in the 45th minute for Chelsea, which jumped to fourth place.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca complained after the match at a lack of support at the club “in general” and said the last two days had been his worst time since arriving in the summer of 2024.
Burnley slumped to a seventh straight loss after being turned over 3-2 by Fulham, with a loud chorus of boos greeting the final whistle at Turf Moor.
Harry Wilson set up two goals and scored the other for Fulham, which climbed to 13th place.
Burnley, which was promoted last season, stayed in next-to-last place and is five points from safety.
Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
