Shane Zylstra

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

Shane Zylstra

Zylstra in 2022
No. 84 – Detroit Lions
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1996-11-16) November 16, 1996 (age 28) Spicer, Minnesota, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	244 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:	New London-Spicer (New London, Minnesota)
College:	Minnesota State (2015–2019)
NFL draft:	2020: undrafted
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (2021)* Detroit Lions (2021–present)
* 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 2024
Receptions: 15 Receiving yards: 116 Receiving touchdowns: 4 Stats at Pro Football Reference

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, 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]

Zylstra was waived by the Lions on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.^[15][16] He was promoted to the active roster on November 9.

Personal life

Zylstra is the younger brother of wide receiver Brandon Zylstra.^[17]