SHANE ZYLSTRA NEWS

Dropped by Detroit The Lions waived Zylstra on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Zylstra missed all of 2023 due to a knee injury, and Detroit has now decided to part ways with the 27-year-old. He appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Lions in 2022, catching 11 of his 15 targets for 60 yards and four touchdowns.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ends season with whimper Zylstra played 22 of the Lions' 60 snaps on offense and failed to haul in his lone target in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Packers.

Impact After a big three-touchdown outing in the Lions' Week 16 loss to the Panthers, Zylstra was unable to carry that momentum into Detroit's final two games of the season. Between wins over Chicago and Green Bay to close out the campaign, Zylstra recorded one catch for seven yards on three targets. The 26-year-old ultimately tallied 11 receptions for 60 yards and four touchdowns on 15 targets over his 13 appearances this season, and though those numbers put him roughly on par with Brock Wright as Detroit's most productive tight end for fantasy purposes after T.J. Hockenson was traded to Minnesota in November, neither Zylstra nor Wright will likely be promised major roles if both are back with Detroit in 2023. Expect Detroit to explore the free-agent market or the draft this offseason to bring aboard a more-established or higher-upside option to its tight-end room.

JANUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Completes hat trick Zylstra brought in five of six targets for 26 yards with three touchdowns during Saturday's 37-23 loss to Carolina.

Impact Becoming a bigger and bigger part of the passing game in every passing week since Detroit traded T.J. Hockenson, Zylstra was largely used on short routes Saturday -- particularly near the goal line. However, this marked Zylstra's first game of the season with more than two targets, and he's averaging just over five yards per catch on his 10 receptions this season. Despite the big day, Zylstra is not on the fantasy radar in Week 17 against Chicago.

DECEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHT: Goff's fourth-down throw finds Zylstra for TE's second TD of day Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff's fourth-down throw finds Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra for his second touchdown of the day.

DECEMBER 24, 2022 • DETROITLIONS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Goff to Zylstra for a 3-yard TD Detroit Lions quarterback Goff and Lions tight end Shane Zylstra counter the Carolina Panthers' first-drive touchdown with one of their own.

DECEMBER 24, 2022 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Records two catches in Week 14 win Zylstra played 23 of the Lions' 68 snaps on offense and finished with two receptions for 18 yards on two targets in Sunday's 34-23 win over the Vikings.

Impact Though Brock Wright led the Detroit tight-end room with a 56 percent snap share, Zylstra led the position group in production. Zylstra has four receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown over his nine appearances on the season and is unlikely to see more than a look or two in the passing attack while Detroit has all of its key receivers and running backs available.

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets promotion to 53-man roster Detroit signed Zylstra from its practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game at Chicago.

Impact After he caught a touchdown in Week 9, Zylstra was added to the 53-man roster for good ahead of Week 10. When the Lions traded away T.J. Hockenson, Zylstra became arguably the team's best remaining receiving threat at tight end.

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Detroit Lions activate FB Jason Cabinda, promote TE Shane Zylstra from practice squad The Detroit Lions promoted tight end Shane Zylstra from the practice squad and activated fullback/tight end Jason Cabinda from the PUP list.

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • FREEP.COM

Shane Zylstra relishes celebrating his 1st NFL touchdown with brother Brandon on the Lions sideline Shane and Brandon Zylstra are the 1st brothers to play offense together in the same game in Lions team history

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • USATODAY.COM

Sent back to practice squad Detroit reverted Zylstra to its practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Zylstra was summoned to the active roster ahead of the Week 9 win over the Packers and played five special-teams snaps as well as 16 of a possible 62 offensive snaps. That put him well behind Brock Wright's 50 snaps but ahead of James Mitchell's 13. Zylstra made the most of his one target Sunday, hauling in a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter. With T.J. Hockenson now with Minnesota, it wouldn't be surprising to see Zylstra be elevated again for Week 10.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lions' season still appears lost despite win over Packers

The Detroit Lions’ season has followed the usual script

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • Associated Press

Lions activate Zylstra brothers; TE Shane catches TD in win

Shane Zylstra and his brother Brandon were elevated from Detroit’s practice squad this week and played together for the first time in their lives Sunday as the Lions beat the Green...

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • Associated Press

Rodgers throws 3 INTs, Lions hold on to beat Packers 15-9

Aaron Rodgers matched a career high with three interceptions and threw an incomplete pass on fourth down from the Detroit 17 in the final minute, letting the Detroit Lions hold on...

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • Associated Press

Back on active roster Zylstra was elevated from Detroit's practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins.

Impact Zylstra will be on the Lions' active roster for the first time since Week 3. He has served primarily on special teams in three contests this season, though he may see a slight uptick in offensive role in the absence of T.J. Hockenson.

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Detroit Lions give Zylstra brothers a first; both activated for Sunday vs. Packers Shane Zylstra made the Lions out of traning camp while the team signed Brandon to the practice squad last month

NOVEMBER 5, 2022 • FREEP.COM

Inks practice-squad deal The Lions signed Zylstra to the practice squad Tuesday.

Impact Zylstra appeared in each of the first three games of the season but didn't record a single offensive statistic. He was waived by Detroit ahead of the team's Week 4 loss to the Seahawks, but he's been brought back on a practice-squad deal. The 6-foot-4 tight end will be a likely candidate to be elevated on a weekly basis, but he'd presumably be relegated to primarily special-team duties.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Moving around well at minicamp Zylstra (knee) has been a full participant in the offseason training program and was a "go-to tight end" for all three Lions quarterbacks during this week's minicamp, Tim Twentyman...

Impact Zylstra is back in action after fracturing his kneecap Week 16 of last season. With T.J. Hockenson getting limited reps and rookie James Mitchell (knee) sidelined due to injury, it sounds like Zylstra made significantly more noise during padless minicamp than the likes of Brock Wright or Garrett Griffin. While there will be no pushing Hockenson for snaps or opportunities anytime soon, Zylstra could be making a case for the No. 2 or 3 spot on the depth chart.

JUNE 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Inks futures deal Zylstra was signed to a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on Monday.

Impact Zylstra joined the Lions' practice squad in 2021 after a year with the Vikings. He appeared in four games this season, making three catches on seven targets for 34 yards. However, his season ended early when he fractured his kneecap in Week 16 against the Falcons.

JANUARY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out for season Zylstra (kneecap) was placed on Detroit's practice squad injured list Monday and will miss the rest of the season.

Impact Zylstra suffered a fractured kneecap during Sunday's loss to the Falcons, so it's hardly a surprise he'll miss the final two games of the campaign. Coach Dan Campbell said the 25-year-old will be re-evaluated once the regular season is over in a couple weeks to determine whether surgery is necessary. Zylstra totaled three receptions for 34 yards in four games this season.

DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fractures kneecap Zylstra suffered a fractured kneecap in the Lions' loss to the Falcons on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Zylstra had seen his role grow with the Lions since T.J. Hockenson went on IR with a thumb injury. However, the knee injury almost certainly puts a crimp in those plans. Although not officially ruled out for Week 17 against the Seahawks, it's unlikely Zylstra will be able to play.

DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Oluokun's last-minute pick saves Falcons' win over Lions

Matt Ryan threw a tie-breaking 12-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Hurst early in the fourth quarter and the Atlanta Falcons held on late to beat the Detroit Lions 20-16 to preserve t...

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • Associated Press

Won't return Sunday Zylstra (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Falcons.

Impact Zylstra was added to the active roster as a COVID-19 replacement. However, he failed to a catch a pass for a third consecutive week after leaving the contest early with a knee injury. His absence leaves the Lions with Brock Wright as their only available tight end.

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted from practice squad Zylstra was bumped up from the practice squad Saturday as a COVID-19 replacement.

Impact Zylstra has seen significant work the last two weeks since T.J. Hockenson (thumb) went on IR. Playing a total of 67 snaps on offense across both games, Zylstra has recorded three catches on seven targets for 34 yards in those two contests. Zylstra will look to make an impact, and maybe catch his first career touchdown, Sunday against the Falcons.

DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

One catch against Cardinals Zylstra secured his only target for 16 yards during Sunday's 30-12 win over Arizona.

Impact After leading Lions tight ends in snaps last week against Denver, Zysltra (45 percent) trailed Brock Wright (75) in this one. For how much success Detroit had in producing what might be the upset of the year, it was disappointing for Zylstra that tight ends weren't a big part of the process, at least in terms of receiving production. As such, Lions tight ends seem safe to avoid down the stretch in the vast majority of fantasy formats.

DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Moves up from practice squad Zylstra was activated from Detroit's practice squad Friday, while fellow Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (thumb) was placed on IR after season-ending surgery.

Impact With Hockenson out for last week's 38-10 loss to Denver, the Lions called on Zylstra to handle 63 percent snap share and six targets in his first taste of non-special-teams action in the NFL. He caught just two of the six passes for 18 yards, with fellow tight end Brock Wright adding three catches for 20 yards on five targets (and 56 percent snap share). It's possible one separates from the other in the coming weeks, but the most likely scenario for this Sunday against the Cardinals is another timeshare.

DECEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE