TE Ertz didn’t clear concussion protocol in time

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. » Zach Ertz was scratched Sunday, the Eagles’ leading receiver failing to bounce back from a concussion in time to play the Los Angeles Rams here at the Coliseum.

Ertz warmed up in long sweats before the game but that was the extent of his workload. He’d been limited at practice this past week.

The Eagles didn’t miss Ertz, at least in the first half.

Early in the first quarter, 32-year-old tight end Brent Celek scored on a five-yard reception, his first touchdown since Thanksgiving of 2015, to tie the game at 7. Celek set it up by drawing a pass interference penalty in the end zone, proving he can still get vertical – somewhat. Later in the first quarter tight end Trey Burton hauled in a 20yard scoring pass, his third of the season, to give the Eagles a 14-7 lead.

And it was Burton again, with an 11-yard TD grab, staking the Eagles to a 21-7 lead 11:10 left in the first half.

But back to Ertz. It was the fourth game he’s missed since the start of the 2015 season, including the second this year. The Eagles are 4-1 in games missed by Ertz, who hasn’t played a complete season since 2014, his second in the league.

The Eagles also scratched running back Wendell Smallwood, offensive tackle Will Beatty, defensive tackle Elijah Qualls, wide receiver Marcus Johnson, quarterback Nate Sudfeld and linebacker Walker.