Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Mon 1/5/26 3:46 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Zylstra caught three of five targets for 20 yards over six games during the regular season.
EDGE Analysis
Zylstra opened the season as the Lions' No. 3 option at tight end behind Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck), but due to injuries, he became relevant in the final few weeks. The tight end missed nearly three months of action himself from early September to Dec. 14 due to injury, but even when healthy, he went without a target in five of six games this season. Zylstra will now enter the offseason as a free agent, and he'll likely have a limited market for his talents in 2026.
Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Fri 12/26/25 6:21 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Zylstra did not garner a target in Thursday's 23-10 loss to Minnesota.
EDGE Analysis
Zylstra went without a target for the second time in three games since returning from injured reserve. The tight end maintained a slight lead in offensive workload over Anthony Firkser, logging 42 offensive snaps to Firkser's 35, though the latter did garner a target. Zylstra will look to finish off the regular season on a higher note when Detroit heads to Chicago in Week 18.
Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Mon 12/22/25 2:38 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Zylstra caught three of five targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 29-24 loss to Pittsburgh.
EDGE Analysis
Zylstra was able to secure his first passes of the year after going catchless in his return to action in Week 15. The tight end saw 20 more snaps on offense (45) than backup Anthony Firkser (25), but Firkser caught all four of his targets for 40 yards. Zylstra and Firkser will likely continue to split the workload at tight end Christmas Day against the Vikings, making both players relatively unappealing from a fantasy perspective.
Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Mon 12/15/25 3:34 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Zylstra did not garner a target in Sunday's 41-34 loss to the Rams.
EDGE Analysis
Zylstra made his return to action after missing 11 contests with a knee injury, immediately taking over as the team's primary tight end, logging 35 offensive snaps to backup Anthony Firkser's 22 snaps on offense. Zylstra will have a chance to be more involved moving forward with Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) on injured reserve, and he'll look to reel in his first pass of the year in Week 16 against Pittsburgh.
Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Sun 12/14/25 3:25 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Zylstra (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 15 contest against the Rams.
EDGE Analysis
Zylstra was hurt in Week 2 against Chicago and subsequently landed on IR. He was activated Saturday and is now officially ready to return to action. With Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) both on injured reserve, there is room for Zylstra to carve out a tangible role in the Lions' tight-end corps.
Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Sat 12/13/25 5:54 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Detroit activated Zylstra (knee) from injured reserve Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Zylstra has been dealing with a knee injury since Week 2, and he was designated to return to practice Dec. 1. The 29-year-old remained sidelined during last week's win over the Cowboys, but he's trending toward playing ahead of this Sunday's matchup versus the Rams. Zylstra has been a reliable blocking tight end over the past four seasons with Detroit, but with TE1 Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) both on IR, he could be more involved as a pass catcher alongside Anthony Firkser moving forward. It's still unclear if Zylstra will be active versus the Rams.
Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Fri 12/12/25 5:53 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Zylstra (knee) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Zylstra logged three limited practices heading into Week 15 against the Rams, a step up from his practice progression in Week 14 when he ended the week as a non-participant. If the 29-year old does return, he would be making his first appearance since Week 2 against the Bears. The fifth-year pro plays a majority of snaps on special teams but could possibly see a larger role on offense with Sam LaPorta (back) on injured reserve.
Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Wed 12/10/25 7:51 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Zylstra (knee) logged a limited practice Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Wed 12/3/25 6:29 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Zylstra (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game versus the Cowboys.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Shane Zylstra TE DET (8) Tue 12/2/25 7:30 PM
Shane Zylstra
TE DET (8)
Zylstra (knee) did not participate at practice Tuesday.
EDGE Analysis
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.