SHANE ZYLSTRA NEWS

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

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

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos honor Demaryius Thomas with 38-10 rout of the Lions

The Denver Broncos honored the late Demaryius Thomas with a 38-10 win over Detroit and tributes including a video montage and a moment of silence

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

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

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts back to practice squad Zylstra reverted back to the Lions' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Zylstra was promoted to the active roster with T.J. Hockenson (knee) questionable for Sunday's contest against the Vikings. However, Hockenson ended up playing in the game, so Zylstra didn't see any offensive snaps.

OCTOBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No offensive snaps Zylstra did not log any snaps on offense during Sunday's 19-17 loss to Minnesota.

Impact Zylstra was promoted to the active roster with T.J. Hockenson (knee) listed as questionable to play, but he ended up only seeing the field on special teams.

OCTOBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

THE DAILY DRIVE: Lions elevate TE Shane Zylstra to active roster with T.J. Hockenson questionable Dan Campbell still confident: 0-4 Detroit Lions 'not as far away as it appears' (Subscription Required)

OCTOBER 10, 2021 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Elevated from practice squad Zylstra was elevated from the Lions' practice squad Saturday.

Impact 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, and he'll have the opportunity to make his regular-season debut Sunday against the Vikings.

OCTOBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dropped by Vikings Zylstra was waived by the Vikings on Tuesday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jets trade Herndon, 6th-rounder to Vikings for 4th-rounder

The New York Jets traded tight end Chris Herndon along with a 2022 sixth-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings for a fourth-rounder in next year’s draft

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vikings' Smith aims high after time spent with NFL's top TEs

Irv Smith Jr. has become the top tight end for the Minnesota Vikings

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS