Shane Zylstra
refer to caption
Zylstra in 2022
Detroit Lions
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1996-11-16) November 16, 1996 (age 27)
Spicer, Minnesota, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:New London-Spicer
(New London, Minnesota)
College:Minnesota State
Undrafted:2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • NSIC Offensive Player of the Year (2017)
  • 3x All-NSIC (2017–2019)
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:14
Receiving yards:94
Receiving touchdowns:4
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Shane Zylstra (born November 16, 1996) is an American football tight end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Minnesota State.

College career

Zylstra was a member of the Minnesota State Mavericks for five seasons, redshirting his true freshman season. Zylstra finished his collegiate career with as Minnesota State school records of 227 catches, 4,297 receiving yards, and 54 touchdown receptions.[1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 3+1⁄8 in
(1.91 m) 		213 lb
(97 kg) 		33+1⁄8 in
(0.84 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)
All values from Pro Day[2]

Minnesota Vikings

Zylstra signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 7, 2021.[3] After signing with the team he was moved from wide receiver to tight end.[4] Zylstra was waived by the Vikings on August 31, 2021, during final roster cuts.[5]

Detroit Lions

Zylstra was signed to the practice squad of the Detroit Lions on September 1, 2021.[6] He was elevated to the active roster on October 10, 2021, for the team's week 5 game against the Vikings.[7] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions on January 10, 2022.[8]

On October 1, 2022, Zylstra was waived by the Lions and re-signed to the practice squad.[9] Zylstra was activated along with his brother Brandon Zylstra for Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers,[10] Shane finished with his first professional touchdown, a one-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jared Goff.[11] He was signed to the active roster on November 13.[12] On December 24, Zylstra caught three touchdown passes during a game against the Carolina Panthers.[13]

On August 1, 2023, Zylstra was waived/injured by the Lions after suffering a knee injury in training camp, and placed on injured reserve.[14]

Personal life

Zylstra is the younger brother of wide receiver Brandon Zylstra.[15]

References

  1. ^ Courrier, Chad (May 6, 2021). "Heim, Zylstra persevere to get NFL jobs". Mankato Free Press. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  2. ^ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Shane Zylstra College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  3. ^ "Vikings sign undrafted former Minnesota State TE Shane Zylstra". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 7, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Rominger, Mary (August 5, 2021). "Vikings Training Camp: TE Shane Zylstra battles for roster spot". KEYC.com. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  5. ^ Williams, Charean (August 31, 2021). "Vikings cut Everson Griffen, Ameer Abdullah". ProFootballTalk.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  6. ^ "Lions announce 15 practice squad signings, QB Steven Montez reportedly will be added". The Detroit News. September 1, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  7. ^ Tomasson, Chris (October 9, 2021). "After spending time with Vikings, Spicer native Shane Zylstra 'pumped' to make Lions debut against them". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "Detroit Lions sign 9 players to reserve/futures contracts". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. January 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Detroit Lions sign OL Dan Skipper, K Dominik Eberle, downgrade DJ Chark to OUT". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. October 1, 2022.
  10. ^ @LionsPR. "The Zylstra brothers will become the 6th set of brothers to both play in the same game for the @Lions, & they will be the 1st pair of siblings on the offensive side of the ball to do so. This will mark the first football game the brothers have ever played together. #OnePride". Twitter. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  11. ^ Risdon, Jeff (November 8, 2022). "Shane Zylstra relishes celebrating his 1st NFL touchdown with brother Brandon on the Lions sideline". Lions Wire.
  12. ^ "THE DAILY DRIVE: Lions activate FB Jason Cabinda, promote TE Shane Zylstra from practice squad". detriotlions.com. November 13, 2022.
  13. ^ Elliott, Tom (December 27, 2022). "Tribune Notebook: Former NLS Wildcat Shane Zylstra has a career day for NFL's Lions". wctrib.com. West Central Tribune. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  14. ^ "Detroit Lions add 2 new tight ends after Shane Zylstra injury". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  15. ^ Tomasson, Chris (May 4, 2021). "TE Shane Zylstra excited to sign with Vikings three years after brother Brandon played for them". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved October 10, 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shane Zylstra.
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