Turn back time | Sports Daily Newsletter

It’s kind of hard to believe that it’s been five years since Zach Ertz was traded away midseason. (That also means that Jalen Hurts has been the Eagles’ full-time starting quarterback for five years. Time flies, doesn’t it?)

Ertz is back in the flock, and now we’ll see how much he can wind the clock back as he steps in for the injured Dallas Goedert.

His receiving prowess isn’t in doubt. But Goedert played a big role in new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s scheme — as a receiver and a blocker.

Even in his prime, Ertz, now 35 and coming off a torn ACL, wasn’t known for his blocking. It’ll largely be on the likes of Mannion to figure out the personnel side of things. The question for Ertz is if he can be the player the Eagles need now.

— Maria McIlwain, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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Ertz finished with 50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games for the Washington Commanders last season before tearing both the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.

But history has not kind to 36-year-old tight ends, and Ertz turns 36 in November. Ertz’s best traits are well known to the Eagles. But Father Time might be the biggest hurdle for the Birds’ tight end legend to be effective.

And after Week 2, here’s how the national media ranks the Eagles.

Next: The Eagles are back on the road for a Monday Night Football clash with the Chicago Bears (8:15 p.m., 6abc, ESPN).

Don Mattingly is now the only interim manager in baseball after the Mets and Red Sox announced Tuesday that they will keep Andy Green and Chad Tracy, respectively, at the helm of their clubs.

With the Phillies on the verge of a fifth straight trip to the postseason, is Mattingly next?

They are in no hurry to make a decision about his future.

Mattingly gave a glimpse of how he may manage in the playoffs as the Phillies used a three-run eighth inning to beat the Brewers, 6-4, and moving one game closer to a wild-card berth.

Next: The Phillies return to action tonight against the Brewers (6:40 p.m., NBCSP). Aaron Nola (7-10, 4.49 ERA) takes the mound against Brewers righty Logan Henderson (10-3, 2.51).

Neil Pierre is well-known to Union fans who’ve watched his rapid rise this summer and soccer aficionados.

But he could be getting a whole lot more popular soon. Pierre, 18, is one of three young Union standouts who were called into this U.S. men’s national team camp, and he admitted some nerves, but he’s already impressed at least one veteran in camp.

Back home in the Philly area, Villanova has become one of the best defensive teams in Division I women’s soccer.

Next: Training continues ahead of the USMNT’s next match against Peru on Saturday (4:30 p.m., TNT) in Orlando.

Cam York always wants to work on his defensive game, but if his offense can take a step forward — without sacrificing or cheating the game in the Flyers’ end — it could be huge for his game and the team’s success.

The Californian has 23 goals and 103 points in 309 career regular-season points, but his 103 career points rank third all-time among defensemen in U.S. National Team Development Program history.

After a spirited practice on Tuesday, his defensive partner and friend Jamie Drysdale fed him puck after puck as he fired one-timers from the point — after taking time to refine puck retrievals and outlet passes.

It was just another layer added to what the defenseman worked on over the summer to have an effective shot.

Next: The Flyers will take the ice in Philly for the first time this preseason tomorrow, when they host the Boston Bruins (7 p.m., NBCSP+).

We asked you: Which tight end holds the record for the most single-season receiving yards in Eagles history?

Answer: C: Pete Retzlaff. Retzlaff, who played for the Eagles from 1956 to 1966, had 7412 career yards — the second-most receiving yards by any Eagle — on 452 catches with 47 touchdowns.

We asked: What is your reaction to the Eagles signing Zach Ertz?

I always liked, respected and rooted for Zach, even after he was traded by the Eagles. Zach, and his wife Julie, truly embraced the culture of the team and the city. I’m glad that he will get a chance to end his career back in Philadelphia and I wish him good health and much success on the field. — Jim V.

Hopefully he’s not past his time being an effective target. His experience should help. — Tom G.

Fantastic! Welcome home Zach! The best tight end in Eagles history! — Bob A.

Good decision. Other two tight ends are blockers, Ertz always could catch. — Bill M.

To grab a guy from out of nowhere there could not be a better choice than Zach. An Eagle hero and who can ever forget that 11 yard crucial SB TD from Foles that must have been reviewed 20 times. And also his 6 other catches for a total of 67 yards. You have to assume that he is in great shape if the Eagles are seriously going to bring him back. No tight end would we rather have than Zach. — Everett S.

I was very disappointed when Ertz left for Arizona. He has always been an elite tight end as well as a positive influence in the clubhouse. Never a negative word was attributed to him. While sorry that Goedert went down with his injury, I look forward to seeing Zach on the field again. — Nick S.

While a feel-good story, reunions with players past their prime rarely work out. Zach will be new to the system, did not participate in any training camp and is coming off a serious injury. No YAC (yards after catch) Zach will be challenged in this new system, whereby the tight end will be counted on to both block and take passes across the middle. Hope this works out, and Dallas Goedert isn’t out long-term. Troubled that Howie could not find a younger journeyman. — Bob C.

What a GREAT pick up. Love to see to see to old boy back home. — Nathaniel G.

The signing of Zach Ertz to the Eagles roster doesn’t just mean a bandaid while Dallas Goedert is out. It is the addition of a future Hall of Fame tight end who started a Super Bowl winning career right here in Philadelphia as a draft pick from Stanford back in 2013.

Thirteen years later — he’s still a force at the position with excellent hands, size, and speed. He isn’t just a reliable option at the position — he’s also a veteran presence that can mentor younger talent like Eli Stowers. And did I mention that he is a Super Bowl LII champion? One with the Eagles, that is. — Michael L.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from David Murphy, Devin Jackson, Mia Messina, Scott Lauber, Jonathan Tannenwald, Finn Courtney, Jackie Spiegel, Mike Livingston, and Conor Smith.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading along! I’ll be back in your inboxes tomorrow. — Maria