Skip to main content
Advertising
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
Advertising

Preseason

WK Game Date OPP RESULT REC YDS AVG LNG TD ATT YDS AVG LNG TD FUM LOST
3 08/24/2024 Steelers W 24 - 17 4 29 7.2 12 0
2 08/17/2024 @Chiefs W 24 - 23 1 5 5 5 0
1 08/08/2024 @Giants L 3 - 14 1 7 7 7 0

Regular Season

WK Game Date OPP RESULT REC YDS AVG LNG TD ATT YDS AVG LNG TD FUM LOST
18 01/06/2025 Vikings W 31 - 9
17 12/31/2024 @49ers W 40 - 34
16 12/22/2024 @Bears W 34 - 17
15 12/15/2024 Bills L 42 - 48
14 12/06/2024 Packers W 34 - 31
13 11/28/2024 Bears W 23 - 20
12 11/24/2024 @Colts W 24 - 6
11 11/17/2024 Jaguars W 52 - 6 1 22 22 22 0
10 11/11/2024 @Texans W 26 - 23
9 11/03/2024 @Packers W 24 - 14
8 10/27/2024 Titans W 52 - 14
7 10/20/2024 @Vikings W 31 - 29

Post Season

WK Game Date OPP RESULT REC YDS AVG LNG TD ATT YDS AVG LNG TD FUM LOST
2 01/19/2025 Commanders L 31 - 45

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.
Advertising