Shane Zylstra Injury News & Updates

Zylstra (knee) logged a limited practice Wednesday.

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.

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.

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.

Zylstra (ankle) 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Zylstra finished the 2024 regular season having caught his only target for 22 yards over 10 games.

Zylstra was virtually non-existent 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Zylstra reverted to Detroit's practice squad Monday.

Zylstra was elevated to the active roster for the first time this season, and he ended up seeing playing time on both offense and special teams but failed to record any stats. The 27-year-old will now wait for his next opportunity to be called up for a game.

The Lions elevated Zylstra from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Zylstra was unable to make the Lions' 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp, but he opted to stick around on the practice squad. It's his first elevation of the season, though he will likely only see the field on special teams as he serves as the No. 4 tight end behind Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright and Parker Hesse. If Zylstra does see playing time Sunday against the Vikings, it'll be his first regular-season action since 2022, during which he caught 11 passes (on 15 targets) for 60 yards and four touchdowns over 13 games.

Zylstra signed with the Lions' practice squad Wednesday.

After missing all of the Lions' 2023 campaign due to a knee injury, Zylstra was left off Detroit's initial 53-man roster. However, he'll remain in Detroit after inking a deal to return to the team's practice squad Wednesday. The Minnesota State product could be elevated to the Lions' active roster at some point this season if one of Sam LaPorta (hamstring), Brock Wright or Parker Hesse misses time.

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

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.

Zylstra (knee) re-signed with the Lions on Monday.

Zylstra spent the entirety of the 2023 campaign on IR with a knee injury suffered during training camp, but he should be considered healthy with his return to the team. The 27-year-old last suited up in 2022, when he made 11 receptions on 15 targets for 60 yards and four touchdowns across 13 contests. He'll likely be competing for a depth role in the Lions' tight end corps in 2024.

Zylstra (knee) cleared waivers Wednesday and has reverted to Detroit's injured reserved.

The 26-year-old suffered a knee injury during camp Tuesday and was waived with an injury designation. He'll now be forced to miss the Lions entire 2023 campaign after clearing waivers and going on IR.

The Lions waived Zylstra (knee) on Tuesday with an injury designation.

If Zylstra clears waivers, he'll revert to the Lions' injured reserve and be forced to miss the entire 2023 campaign barring an injury settlement. The 26-year-old is expected to be sidelined for at least six months due to the knee injury, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Zylstra injured his knee Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Zylstra's injury is believed to be serious and could keep him out of action for the next six months. The 26-year-old re-signed with Detroit in April after catching 11 of 15 targets for 60 yards and four touchdowns and will now spend the season focusing on getting healthy.

The Lions re-signed Zylstra, who was an exclusive rights free agent, to a contract Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Zylstra and Brock Wright both saw increased work last year after Detroit traded T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings. The Minnesota State product finished with 11 receptions on 15 targets for 60 yards and four touchdowns in 2022, his second season with the Lions. Zylstra and Wright will both be back next season and currently sit atop the Lions' tight end depth chart, but things could change quickly after 2023 NFL Draft.

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.

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 are both 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 was arguably the team's best remaining receiving threat at tight end.

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

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.

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

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.

The Lions signed Zylstra to the practice squad Tuesday.

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.

Zylstra was waived by Detroit on Saturday.

Zylstra was active for each of Detroit's first three games but didn't log an offensive statistic. He was on the field for a significant number of snaps on special teams, which could help him find another opportunity around the league.

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 of the Lions' official site reports.

Zylstra is back in action after fracturing his kneecap in Week 16 of last season. With T.J. Hockenson getting limited reps and rookie James Mitchell (knee) sidelined due to injury, it sounds like he 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Zylstra has seen his role grow with the Lions since T.J. Hockenson went on IR with a thumb injury. However, Zylstra's new role will likely be derailed by this knee injury. Although not officially ruled out for Week 17 against the Seahawks, it's unlikely Zylstra will be able to play.

Zylstra (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Falcons.

Zylstra was added to the active roster as a COVID-19 replacement -- his third straight week on the gameday roster. 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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Zylstra caught two of six targets for 18 yards during Sunday's loss to Denver.

Despite being promoted from the practice squad a day before, Zylstra led Lions tight ends in snaps and targets with T.J. Hockenson (hand) sidelined. However, that didn't result to any meaningful fantasy production. Zylstra will remain off the fantasy radar when Detroit hosts Arizona in Week 15.

The Lions elevated Zylstra from the practice squad to their active roster Saturday, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

With No. 1 tight end T.J. Hockenson (head) unlikely to play in Week 14, Zylstra will join the Lions' active roster for the second time this season. The first time he was elevated, Hockenson was dealing with a knee injury but ultimately was able to suit up, so Zylstra played exclusively on special teams. If Hockenson is indeed ruled out, the Minnesota State product will operate as the primary backup to Brock Wright against the Broncos, but he likely won't garner enough snaps to make him fantasy relevant.

Zylstra was elevated from the Lions' practice squad Saturday.

Zylstra will join the active roster for the first time this season since T.J. Hockenson (knee) is questionable. He should serve as a backup even if Hockenson is held out, but he'll have the opportunity to make his regular-season debut Sunday against the Vikings.

Zylstra was waived by the Vikings on Tuesday.

Zylstra joined Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in May. After spending OTAs and training camp with the team, he was ultimately unable to make enough of an impression to earn a depth tight end role. The Minnesota State product could potentially land on the team's practice squad if he ends up going unclaimed on waivers.