Philly.com's Les Bowen reports that the Eagles don't expect TE Zach Ertz to practice or play until after the team's Week 4 bye -- "perhaps well after." That would obviously knock Ertz out for at least this Sunday's game against the Steelers. Brent Celek started and led Philly TEs in snaps in Monday night's win at Chicago. But TE Trey Burton led him by a wide margin in targets, 7-1. Burton tied for 2nd on the team in that category. He ranked 2nd along in catches (5) and yards (49) and caught the team's only TD pass. Burton's interesting for deeper TE-friendly formats, such as the FFPC -- especially as long as Ertz sits out.

Eagles TE Zach Ertz (rib) has been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Bears. He's considered "week-to-week." TE Brent Celek figures to start vs. Chicago but could share pass-catching work with TE Trey Burton. It's a situation best avoided.

Eagles HC Doug Pederson announced on Monday that TE Zach Ertz suffered a "rib displacement" in Sunday's win over the Browns. He's considered "week-to-week." We'll keep an eye on his status, but fantasy owners need to be lining up a replacement for Week 2. Brent Celek will step in as Philly's #1 TE.

Eagles TE Zach Ertz (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lions.  He at least put in a limited practice on Wednesday, giving him a good shot to return for Week 13.  His absence tomorrow means a full slate of snaps for TE Brent Celek, who has posted lines of 4-134 and 7-79 over the past 2 weeks.  He's a solid Week 12 spot start.

Chip Kelly said Friday that TE Zach Ertz will miss the entire preseason because of a core muscle injury, according to Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com. That'll make it difficult for Ertz to grow his role in the offense, especially early in the season. Kelly did say that they expect him to be ready for Week 1, but what kind of shape will Ertz be in after limiting work on his core strength over the next 3 weeks? This is enough to move Ertz down your fantasy football draft board at a deep position. He does remain an upside prospect, though, especially at a likely reduced ADP.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday during the NFL owners meetings, Eagles HC Chip Kelly shared some optimism regarding TE Zach Ertz. "I still think there's a big jump that can happen between Year 2 and 3," he said, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Ertz, of course, is heading into his 3rd pro season after failing to reach fantasy football starter level each of the past 2 years. The former high 2nd-round pick hasn't seen as much playing time as many of us expected so far, and a 15-catch Week 16 inflated his overall numbers last year. But this will be just Ertz's 2nd full offseason in the NFL, thanks to graduation rules that kept him out of OTAs in his rookie season. And an Eagles offense currently looking at Jordan Matthews, Riley Cooper and Josh Huff as its top 3 WRs might need the athletic, young TE more than it did before. We'll be tracking reports on Ertz's role and performance through the spring and into training camp. He certainly carries top-8 fantasy upside.

Eagles TE Zach Ertz continues to seem destined for significantly more work in 2014.  HC Chip Kelly told the Philadelphia Inquirer recently that "I think Zach can have a huge role."  Ertz missed much of the offseason because of Stanford's later-running school calendar and then played just 41% of the offensive snaps during the regular season.  He has reportedly worked to reshape his body this offseason, however, adding muscle.  Ertz says he wants to become a more complete player, particularly improving his blocking.  That would certainly make it easier for Eagles coaches to get him on the field.  The position -- and receiving group overall -- remains a bit crowded in Philly, but Ertz could see his receptions climb from 36 last year into the 50s.  He'll be an interesting fantasy football candidate for 2014, as long as expectations don't push his ADP too high.

Eagles TE Brent Celek was written off this offseason after the team added free-agent James Casey and rookie Zach Ertz.  But Celek will enter Week 1 as Philly's starter and a will be a "big part of the Eagles' passing game," according to insider Paul Domowitch.  Celek leads the team's TEs with 7 catches and 70 yards this preseason.  "I love this offense," he said. "Just from a communications standpoint. It's amazing how fast you can execute it."  It'll be difficult to rely on any of the Eagles' TE as weekly fantasy starters.  And Ertz's raw ability makes him the most intriguing target.  But Celek is worth grabbing late in Draft Masters leagues.  He figures to have a few big games this year.

Eagles TE Brent Celek played all 21 snaps with the 1st-team offense in the team's preseason opener.  Per insider Jeff McLane, Celek lined up next to the OT on 12 snaps,  in the slot 4 times, out wide 3 and in the backfield 2.  Celek blocked on 11 snaps and went out for a pass on 10.  He finished with 2 catches on 2 targets for 14 yards.  Rookie TE Zach Ertz, meanwhile, blocked on just 9 of 22 snaps.  He was targeted 3 times, hauling in 2 for 10 yards.  Celek's experience and blocking ability figure to have him lead Eagles TEs in snaps this season.  But we still like the more athletic Ertz to pace the group in receiving.  TE James Casey, by the way, didn't get a single snap with the starters.  It looks like he's 3rd in the pecking order.  We just updated our projections for the Eagles TEs.

Eagles insider Zach Berman believes the TEs will be the biggest beneficiaries of WR Jeremy Maclin's season-ending knee injury.  He says it might now be a "TE-centric passing game."  Berman specifically highlights rookie Zach Ertz, who's capable of playing in the slot or even out wide. "Don't be surprised if he's among the Eagles' leading receivers," Berman writes.  Ertz has made a big move up our TE rankings.  The rookie is an upside TE2 to target in fantasy drafts.

According to Eagles insider , Brent Celek is considered a blocking TE in Chip Kelly's offense.  Zach Ertz and James Casey, on the other hand, are "primarily receivers."  TEs need to be able to block and catch the ball in order to stay on the field in Kelly's  offense.  But it sounds like Celek will be doing more of the former.  The coaching staff called blocking his greatest asset earlier this offseason.  Meanwhile, Casey calls Kelly's offense a "perfect fit" for him.  Ertz is excited too.  "I don't think this could have been a better scenario for me personally," he said. "[Kelly's] got a heck of an offensive mind, and I know he'll put us in position to be successful."  None of these guys are likely to emerge as weekly fantasy starters. but Ertz and Casey sit above Celek in our TE rankings.

The Eagles continued the trend of not taking a QB by selecting Stanford TE Zach Ertz with the 3rd pick of Round 2.  Ertz has been the consensus #2 TE in the class behind Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert.  His arrival in Philly seems to signal the end of TE Brent Celek's relevance -- and perhaps his Eagles career.  Chip Kelly's crew also signed TE James Casey in free agency.  We'll see how all of these pieces fit, but we can't see Ertz finding significant fantasy football value in 2013.

As expected, Eagles TE Brent Celek (concussion) is active for today's game against the Redskins.  He's a low-upside TE1 in fantasy.

Eagles TE Brent Celek (concussion) put in a full week of practice and will return for Sunday's game against the Redskins. With TE Clay Harbor (back) out, Celek is guaranteed a full workload. He's still just a low-end TE1 though. Celek only has 1 TD all year and has topped 65 yards just twice.

Eagles TE Brent Celek (concussion) practiced on Monday.  He's expected back for this weekend's game agianst the Redskins -- a defense he went for 5 catches and 42 yards against earlier this season.  He'll be a low-end TE1 for Week 16.

Eagles TE Brent Celek (concussion) has been ruled out for Week 15.  He never had a chance to gain medical clearance ahead of Thursday night's game against the Bengals.  TE Clay Harbor will step in as Philly's pass-catching TE.  He went for 52 yards and a score in Celek's place yesterday and will be an intriguing spot-starter in fantasy for Week 15.

Eagles TE Brent Celek sustained a concussion on the first series of Sunday's game against the Bucs.  He's done for the day.  Celek leaves fantasy owners with 1 catch for 1 yard.

Eagles TE Brent Celek (knee) returned to practice on Saturday.  He ended up missing 9 days with the minor MCL sprain.  This injury is a non-issue moving forward, although we'll continue to keep an eye on Celek's health after offseason hip and back surgeries.

Eagles TE Brent Celek suffered what's being called a "minor" knee sprain in Thursday's practice.  Knees are always a bit scary, but we have no reason to believe this is anything to worry about.  "I'll be good," Celek said after practice.  Remember, though, that Celek underwent hip and back surgeries this offseason, so the issues are starting to pile up.  We'll keep an eye on his health the rest of the summer.

Eagles insider Adam Caplan notes that TE Brent Celek "looks to be all the way back" from his offseason hip and back surgeries.  That jives with Celek's statement back in May that he feels as healthy as he has in a few years.  "Celek looked more fluid getting off the line" in minicamp, Caplan observed.  After finishing 9th at the position last season, a healthy Celek could be even better in 2012.