Tag: Shane Zylstra

Lions elevate TE Shane Zylstra from the practice squad for Week 5

The Lions called up Zylstra as insurance for T.J. Hockenson, who is questionable with a knee injury

The Detroit Lions have elevated tight end Shane Zylstra from the practice squad for Sunday’s matchup with the Vikings in Minnesota. Zylstra could make his NFL debut in the Week 5 game.

The Lions used the standard elevation with Zylstra, an undrafted rookie from Minnesota State. He joined Detroit’s practice squad after being waived by the Vikings in the final roster cutdowns in September.

Zylstra provides some insurance at the TE spot, where Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson is questionable with a knee injury. The only other tight end on the Lions 53-man roster is veteran Darren Fells, who primarily serves as an in-line blocker. Zylstra played wide receiver in college and is the brother of Panthers WR Brandon Zylstra.

Lions bring back Darren Fells and Dean Marlowe among roster maneuvers

The Lions used a roster manipulation to create space and quickly brought back Fells and Marlowe. Detroit also made several changes to the practice squad.

Lions fans whose blood pressure surged with the odd news of the team releasing two prominent veterans on Wednesday can relax. The Lions quickly re-signed tight end Darren Fells and safety Dean Marlowe in a series of roster maneuvers on Thursday.

Fells and Marlowe were never going anywhere. The Lions exploited the NFL’s rules that require a player to be on the active roster for a day before being placed on injured reserve. Detroit had two players destined for I.R. in Tim Boyle and Da’Shawn Hand, but they needed to wait a day. After claiming WR KhaDarel Hodge and PK Austin Seibert off waivers, GM Brad Holmes needed two quick, temporary roster spots, and waived the vested veterans Fells and Marlowe to create the space.

The Lions also made a few changes to the team’s 16-man practice squad. Holmes brought in five players who spent the preseason on other rosters:

  • OLB Jessie Lemonier
  • QB Steven Montez
  • CB Parnell Motley
  • TE Jared Pinkney
  • TE Shane Zylstra

To make room for the newcomers, the Lions released four players from the initial practice squad. All were with the Lions throughout training camp:

  • LB Rashod Berry
  • DT Miles Brown
  • TE Alize Mack
  • RB Dedrick Mills

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