Free-agent tight end Shane Zylstra is signing back with the Detroit Lions, according to NFL.com. The 2020 undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State began his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings before being released ahead of his rookie campaign. He signed on with Detroit ahead of the 2021 season and has been on and off the active roster ever since. Overall, Zylstra has appeared in 29 games for Detroit (three starts) and has collected 15 receptions for 116 yards and four touchdowns. Even if he makes the team's active roster in 2025, he's a longshot to see significant playing time behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (knee), who was out with a knee injury last year, was back at practice at organized team activities last week and looked great. Zylstra picked up right where he left off and was catching everything thrown his way. He showed good chemistry with quarterback Hendon Hooker and the second-team offense. The 27-year-old tight end spent all of the 2023 campaign on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury that he suffered in training camp last summer. Now that he's back and looking good, Zylstra will give the team extra depth at the tight end position behind Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright and James Mitchell. The former undrafted free agent isn't anywhere close to the fantasy radar and has only 14 receptions for 94 yards and four touchdowns since entering the league in 2021.
The Detroit Lions re-signed tight end Shane Zylstra to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Zylstra will return to Detroit despite missing all of last season while on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury that he suffered in training camp last summer. The 27-year-old should be ready for training camp this summer, though, and he'll be battling for a roster spot after recording 14 receptions on 22 targets for 94 yards and four touchdowns (all in 2022) in his first two years in the league in 2021-22. Among those that Zylstra will be competing with for a depth role this summer will be Brock Wright and James Mitchell. Sam LaPorta, who had an amazing first year in the NFL in 2023, is the Lions' unquestioned top pass-catching tight end.
The Detroit Lions have waived tight end Shane Zylstra (knee) with an injury designation. Zylstra suffered what was believed to be a severe knee injury during training camp on Monday. The expectation was that he would be sidelined for at least six months, and rather than keep Zylstra on the team, Detroit waived him. Last season, he played in 13 games and even started two after T.J. Hockenson was traded. He finished the year with 11 catches for 60 yards and four touchdowns. Detroit will proceed with rookie Sam LaPorta as its starting tight end while Brock Wright and James Mitchell fill depth roles.
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury during training camp practice on Monday. A person familiar with the diagnosis but not authorized to speak publicly about Zylstra's health said it isn't an ACL tear. He appeared in 13 games for Detroit in 2022 and had a three-touchdown performance on Christmas Eve against the Carolina Panthers. Zylstra had an increased role after the Lions traded T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings at midseason. He has 14 catches, 94 yards and four TDs in his two NFL seasons. The 26-year-old will have more tests on his knee, but there isn't a lot of optimism. He'll now likely miss at least the next six months. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta should have a significant role right away in 2023, with Brock Wright also seeing a significant role alongside him.
Shane Zylstra A Desperation Streaming Option For Week 17
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra was the star of Week 16, catching three touchdowns in the loss to the Panthers. While that immediately put the 26-year-old on the fantasy radar, he has been hardly involved all season, amassing only five receptions (and a touchdown) heading into the matchup against Carolina. However, Zylstra's productive performance gives him a slight boost in streaming value for the Week 17 NFC North showdown with the Chicago Bears. Yet, fantasy managers shouldn't expect similar results, especially with Brock Wright still in the picture.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Shane Zylstra came into Week 16 with just eight career catches, but against the Carolina Panthers, he caught five passes for 26 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was nowhere close to the fantasy radar, so it didn't help anyone in the fantasy football playoffs. Since this was just a one-game sample and likely a major outlier, he'll remain off the fantasy radar against the Chicago Bears in Week 17.
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (knee) suffered a fractured kneecap in Week 16 last year, but he has taken part fully in the team's offseason training program and was the team's go-to tight end during mandatory minicamp last week. Zylstra has nice receiving skills and showed his ability to separate at the top of his route. He took advantage of the extra work with T.J Hockenson limited and some of the rookies out with injury, catching a few touchdowns in team periods. Zylstra should have plenty of confidence heading into training camp as insurance behind Hockenson this year. The Lions also have tight ends Brock Wright, rookie James Mitchell and Garrett Griffin, though, so Zylstra is buried on the TE depth chart.
TJ Hockenson Questionable, Shane Zylstra Elevated From Practice Squad
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra was elevated to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings. At the very least, the mover offers security in case TJ Hockenson (knee, questionable) is unable to suit up. Zylstra, a rookie, has not played a single snap this season. Detroit also has Darren Fells and Hunter Bryant on its roster.
Shane Zylstra
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Lions
