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Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Nov. 10, 2024 in Houston. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)

Shane Zylstra

TE

#84

Experience: 5 years

Height: 6-4

Age: 28

Weight: 244 lbs

College: Minnesota State

2024 SEASON

  • REC
    1
  • YDS
    22
  • AVG
    22
  • TDS
    0
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Recent Games

WK OPP RESULT REC YDS AVG LNG TD ATT YDS AVG LNG TD FUM LOST
13 Bears W 23 - 20
14 Packers W 34 - 31
15 Bills L 42 - 48
16 @Bears W 34 - 17
17 @49ers W 40 - 34
18 Vikings W 31 - 9
7 @Vikings W 31 - 29
8 Titans W 52 - 14
9 @Packers W 24 - 14
10 @Texans W 26 - 23
11 Jaguars W 52 - 6 1 22 22 22 0
12 @Colts W 24 - 6

Career Stats

WRTE Career

SEASON TEAM G GS REC YDS AVG LNG TD ATT YDS AVG LNG TD FUM LOST
2021 Detroit Lions 4 0 3 34 11.3 16 0
2022 Detroit Lions 13 2 11 60 5.4 14 4
2024 Detroit Lions 12 1 1 22 22 22 0
TOTAL 29 3 15 116 12.9 22 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Biography

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Became only the second tight end in franchise history to produce a three-touchdown game in Week 16 at Carolina (12/24/22), joining Joseph Fauria, who did so on Oct. 13, 2013 at Cleveland.
  • Caught one reception for one yard (1.0 avg.) and one touchdown, the first of his career in Week 9 vs. Green Bay (11/6/22).
  • Joined the Lions' practice squad after signing with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2021 NFL Draft.
  • Recorded three receptions for 34 yards (11.3 avg.) in his debut season in 2021.

COLLEGE

  • Played four seasons (2016-19) at Minnesota State-Mankato as a wide receiver, ending his career as the Mavericks' leader in receptions (227), receiving yards (4,297) and receiving touchdowns (54). His 330 career points rank third-best in MSU history.
  • 2019: Started in all 15 games and led the receiving corps with 81 catches for 1,676 yards and 18 touchdowns, all of which set MSU single-season records.
    • Named to the All-NSIC First Team and NSIC All-Academic Team, CoSIDA Academic All-American Second Team, D2CCA All-Super Region First Team and Don Hansen All-Super Region Third Team.
  • 2018: Started all 14 games and recorded 66 catches for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 90.1 receiving yards a game.
    • Named to the All-NSIC First Team and the AFCA All-American Second Team.
  • 2017: Started all 14 games and led the receiver room with 51 catches for 861 yards and 15 touchdowns, the most touchdown catches in MSU single-season history.
    • Received D2CCA All-Super Region First Team honors and Don Hansen All-Super Region Second Team recognition.
  • 2016: Played in all 11 games for the Mavericks and finished second on the team in receiving yards with 499 on 29 receptions and seven touchdown catches.
  • 2015: Redshirted

PERSONAL

  • Attended New London-Spice (Spicer, Minn.) High School where he started two seasons as a wide receiver and the team's kick and punt returner. Registered a school-record 94 receptions for 1,531 yards (16.3 avg.) and 17 touchdowns.
  • Named Two-Time All-Conference, Two-Time All-Area and Second-Team All-State in football alongside All-State honors as a member of the track and field team in long jump and high jump.
  • Older brother, Brandon, spent time on the Lions' practice squad in 2022.
  • Earned his bachelor degree from Minnesota State in biology.
  • Married to his wife, Gabriel, and has two sons, Brooks and Decker.
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