Shane Zylstra - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Let go by New England Zylstra was cut by the Patriots on Tuesday, Mark Daniels of MassLive.com reports.

Impact Zylstra was signed to the practice squad with New England on Sept. 2 after he was let go by the Bills in late August. The tight end will now hit the open market again, and he'll likely have to settle for a practice squad spot at his next destination.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Joins New England's practice squad The Patriots signed Zylstra to the practice squad Wednesday.

Impact The Bills cut Zylstra last Saturday. The tight end now joins up with the team's main divisional rival in the race for the AFC East title. The 29-year-old has played in 35 career regular-season games with the Lions, catching 18 balls for 136 yards and four touchdowns.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Dropped by Buffalo The Bills released Zylstra on Saturday.

Impact Zylstra signed a one-year deal with the Bills in May. The tight end's first stint away from the Lions, where he spent the first four years of his career, will end without a 53-man roster spot. The 29-year-old played in all three preseason games, catching four of his eight targets for 33 yards. Zylstra will now be subject to waivers through Sunday's cutdown day and into Monday. If the tight end remains unclaimed through Monday, he will become a free agent able to sign with any franchise's 53-man roster or practice squad.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to Buffalo The Bills signed Zylstra to a one-year contract Tuesday.

Impact Zylstra is headed to Buffalo after spending his entire four-year career with the Lions. The 29-year-old caught three passes for 20 yards across six games last season and will likely compete for a depth spot on the Bills' roster.

MAY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Bills sign TE Shane Zylstra Zylstra spent the last five seasons with Detroit (2021-25), recording 18 catches for 136 yards and four touchdowns in 35 games played

MAY 12 • BUFFALOBILLS.COM

Current Lions Free Agent Has No Chance of Returning Now While there may have been a chance earlier in March, veteran TE Shane Zylstra's chances of returning to the Detroit Lions are likely much cl...

MARCH 23 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM

Limited production in 2025 Zylstra caught three of five targets for 20 yards over six games during the regular season.

Impact Zylstra opened the season as the Lions' No. 3 option at tight end behind Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck), but due to injuries, he became relevant in the final few weeks. The tight end missed nearly three months of action himself from early September to Dec. 14 due to injury, but even when healthy, he went without a target in five of six games this season. Zylstra will now enter the offseason as a free agent, and he'll likely have a limited market for his talents in 2026.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

No production in Week 17 Zylstra did not garner a target in Thursday's 23-10 loss to Minnesota.

Impact Zylstra went without a target for the second time in three games since returning from injured reserve. The tight end maintained a slight lead in offensive workload over Anthony Firkser, logging 42 offensive snaps to Firkser's 35, though the latter did garner a target. Zylstra will look to finish off the regular season on a higher note when Detroit heads to Chicago on Jan. 4.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Three catches in defeat Zylstra caught three of five targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 29-24 loss to Pittsburgh.

Impact Zylstra was able to secure his first passes of the year after going catchless in his return to action in Week 15. The tight end saw 20 more snaps on offense (45) than backup Anthony Firkser (25), but Firkser caught all four of his targets for 40 yards. Zylstra and Firkser will likely continue to split the workload at tight end Christmas Day against the Vikings, making both players relatively unappealing from a fantasy perspective.

DECEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No targets in return to action Zylstra did not garner a target in Sunday's 41-34 loss to the Rams.

Impact Zylstra made his return to action after missing 11 contests with a knee injury, immediately taking over as the team's primary tight end, logging 35 offensive snaps to backup Anthony Firkser's 22 snaps on offense. Zylstra will have a chance to be more involved moving forward with Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) on injured reserve, and he'll look to reel in his first pass of the year in Week 16 against Pittsburgh.

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Making return Sunday Zylstra (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 15 contest against the Rams.

Impact Zylstra was hurt in Week 2 against Chicago and subsequently landed on IR. He was activated Saturday and is now officially ready to return to action. With Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) both on injured reserve, there is room for Zylstra to carve out a tangible role in the Lions' tight-end corps.

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

THE DAILY DRIVE: Lions place Brian Branch on IR, activate Shane Zylstra In a year full of challenges, Jared Goff still is one of NFL's top QBs

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Activated from IR Detroit activated Zylstra (knee) from injured reserve Saturday.

Impact Zylstra has been dealing with a knee injury since Week 2, and he was designated to return to practice Dec. 1. The 29-year-old remained sidelined during last week's win over the Cowboys, but he's trending toward playing ahead of this Sunday's matchup versus the Rams. Zylstra has been a reliable blocking tight end over the past four seasons with Detroit, but with TE1 Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) both on IR, he could be more involved as a pass-catcher alongside Anthony Firkser moving forward. It's still unclear if Zylstra will be active versus the Rams.

DECEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to play Sunday Zylstra (knee) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Zylstra logged three limited practices heading into Week 15 against the Rams, a step up from his practice progression in Week 14 when he ended the week as a non-participant. If the 29-year old does return, he would be making his first appearance since Week 2 against the Bears. The fifth-year pro plays a majority of snaps on special teams but could possibly see a larger role on offense with Sam LaPorta on injured reserve.

DECEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to limited practice Zylstra (knee) logged a limited practice Wednesday.

Impact Zylstra is working his way back from a knee injury that has held him out since Week 3. He began last week with a similar limited practice before downgrading to no practice, so his progression this week should give an indication of whether he'll be able to return to the field in Week 15 against the Rams.

DECEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Thursday Zylstra (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game versus the Cowboys.

Impact Zylstra has been on injured reserve since getting hurt in Week 2 against the Bears, and he finally returned to practice Monday. The 29-year-old tight end isn't quite ready to return to action, however, and he'll aim to get back in the mix in Week 15 versus the Rams. Last season, Zylstra averaged just 9.0 offensive snaps per game.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Downgrades to DNP on Tuesday Zylstra (knee) did not participate at practice Tuesday.

Impact It's a somewhat concerning sign for Zylstra, who Detroit just designated for return to practice from its injured reserve list Monday. It's looking increasingly unlikely he'll be able to suit up Thursday versus the Cowboys.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Limited practice Monday Zylstra (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Monday.

Impact Zylstra had his 21-day practice window opened Monday after spending the last two months on injured reserve with an ankle injury, ultimately logging a limited session to begin the week. The tight end is likely a long shot to play in Thursday night's matchup with the Cowboys, but with Brock Wright (neck) potentially set to miss extended time, Zylstra will provide the team with some much needed depth once activated from IR.

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Practice window opens Zylstra (ankle) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact The Minnesota State product has missed the Lions' last 10 games after sustaining an ankle injury in the Week 2 win over the Bears. Detroit now has 21 days to add Zylstra to its active roster before he reverts to IR. Once fully healthy, Zylstra is expected to play a depth role in the Lions' tight-end corps.

DECEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ravens try for 6th straight victory in series vs. Lions when they meet on Monday night

The Baltimore Ravens haven't lost to the Detroit Lions since 2005

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Lions add tight end to the practice squad as another will miss time Tight end Ross Dwelley joins the Lions' practice squad as Shane Zylstra is placed on the IR.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM

Placed on injured reserve The Lions placed Zylstra (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact Zylstra suffered an ankle injury during the Lions' Week 2 win over the Bears. He is required to miss at least the next four games, which makes Week 7 against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 20 the earliest he can return. Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright are the Lions' two lone tight ends on the 53-man roster, but Detroit shored up its depth at the position by signing Ross Dwelley to the practice squad.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

TE Shane Zylstra placed on injured reserve; Detroit Lions add OL help to 53-man roster Shane Zylstra injured his ankle in the first quarter of the Lions' 52-21 win over the Green Bay Packers

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • FREEP.COM

Lions Place TE on IR, Sign OL to Active Roster, Release Monty Rice Detroit Lions place Shane Zylstra on injured reserve, sign Trystan Colon to active roster.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • THESTATE.COM

Lions TE Signing Points to Bad News on Shane Zylstra's Injury Ross Dwelly's arrival at the Detroit Lions could be a bad omen for Shane Zylstra's injury.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM

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Ravens try for 6th straight victory in series vs. Lions when they meet on Monday night