Zylstra (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game versus the Cowboys.
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Downgrades to DNP on Tuesday
Rotowire
Zylstra (knee) did not participate at practice Tuesday.
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Limited practice Monday
Rotowire
Zylstra (knee) was a limited participant at practice Monday.
Zylstra had his 21-day practice window opened Monday after spending the last two months on injured reserve with what previously was labeled an ankle injury, but the Lions' first Week 14 practice report has him tagged with a knee injury. Irrespective of the issue, 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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Practice window opens
Rotowire
Zylstra (ankle) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Placed on injured reserve
Rotowire
The Lions placed Zylstra (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday.
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.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Will not return Sunday
Rotowire
Zylstra (ankle) is out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Bears.
The tight end did not record a stat before exiting earlier in the first half. Detroit still has two tight ends, Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, ahead of Zylstra on the depth chart.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Questionable to return Sunday
Rotowire
Zylstra (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bears.
The tight end did not record a stat before exiting. Zylstra played on 10 special-teams snaps and six offensive snaps in Week 1. He is listed as Detroit's third tight end behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Staying in Motor City
Rotowire
Detroit will re-sign Zylstra for the 2025 season, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
The Lions added Zylstra to the active roster from their practice squad in November of 2024, and over 13 games including the playoffs, he caught his only target for 22 yards. He also contributed on special teams, logging more snaps in that phase than on offense for the first time in his career. Barring injuries, his role on Detroit's offense is likely to be minor in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Quiet 2024 campaign
Rotowire
Zylstra finished the 2024 regular season having caught his only target for 22 yards over 10 games.
Zylstra was virtually nonexistent on the offensive side of the ball in 2024, operating as the No. 3 tight end behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. Zylstra's only catch came in Week 11 against the Jaguars when LaPorta didn't play due to a shoulder injury. Zylstra will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent, meaning the Lions will have the ability to match any offer put in front of him by another team.
Zylstra (neck) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.
Zylstra left Sunday's win over the Jaguars early with the injury, but it doesn't appear the tight end is suffering any lasting effects from it. Barring any setbacks, he should be good to go Week 12 against the Colts.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Sustains neck injury vs. Jags
Rotowire
Zylstra exited Sunday's 52-6 win over the Jaguars due to a neck injury.
The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game, and given the blowout, there was no reason to risk having Zylstra on the field. The severity of Zylsta's neck injury may not truly be known until the Lions' first practice Wednesday.
Zylstra and Brock Wright will take on larger roles with starting tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) ruled out for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, the Lansing State Journal reports.
Zylstra had a three-TD performance Week 16 of 2022, but he's seen just three targets in the NFL since then, and none this season. He did take five of the 14 snaps in 11 personnel after LaPorta left a Week 10 win over Houston, with Wright getting the other nine snaps and also finishing without a target. Wright is the favorite to lead Detroit's tight ends in snaps and routes this week, but Zylstra also figures to play more than usual, including some work in single-TE formations.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Signed to active roster
Rotowire
The Lions signed Zylstra from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Zylstra was elevated from the practice squad for the maximum three times this season, and he'll continue to play in Detroit after being signed to the active roster. Zylstra will serve as the Lions' No. 3 tight end Sunday against the Texans behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
... See More... See Less
Shane Zylstra: Reverts to practice squad
Rotowire
Zylstra reverted to Detroit's practice squad Monday.
Zylstra played exclusively on special teams during Sunday's win versus Green Bay. He has now been elevated three times this season and would need to be signed to the active roster in order to be eligible to play again.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Elevated for Week 9
Rotowire
The Lions elevated Zylstra from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
This is the third and final time that the Lions can elevate Zylstra from the practice squad this season. He'll serve as Detroit's No. 3 tight end Sunday against the Packers behind starter Sam LaPorta and backup Brock Wright.
... See More... See Less
Shane Zylstra: Back with practice squad
Rotowire
Zylstra reverted to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Zylstra operated as the Lions' No. 3 option at tight end behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright in the team's 52-14 win over the Titans in Week 8, failing to record any offensive stats while playing 13 of the team's 48 snaps on that side of the ball. He did record a tackle in punt coverage while playing 20 snaps with the special-teams unit. Zylstra can still be elevated one more time before he'd have to be officially signed to the active roster.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Shane Zylstra: Elevated from practice squad
Rotowire
The Lions elevated Zylstra from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Zylstra is being elevated for a second consecutive week, giving him an opportunity to suit up and handle a depth role Sunday versus Tennessee. He played three offensive snaps Week 7 versus the Vikings and was not targeted.
