Zylstra returns to the Lions after appearing in 12 games in 2024. He caught just one pass for 22 yards and was primarily used on special teams and as a blocker. The Lions have a powerhouse of an offense and Zylstra will fit in as a reserve tight end, blocker, and special teamer.

A day after Zylstra was feared to have suffered a “significant” knee injury, the Lions have opted to waive him. Zylstra’s finest hour came in a three-touchdown performance against the Panthers in Week 16, but he’s otherwise been little more than a role player. We’ve yet to receive any specifics on Zylstra’s injury, but he’s expected to be sidelined for the majority of the 2023 season. Zylstra will revert back to IR once he clears waivers.

Zylstra managed a three-touchdown outburst in 2022 against the Panthers but has otherwise been utilized as a situational tight end during his time in Detroit. Rookie second-rounder Sam LaPorta should be the starting tight end to begin the season, with Brock Wright likely to see snaps out of 12-personnel and James Mitchell the likeliest to see situational work as the primary backup pass-catching tight end.

The Lions also signed DE Eric Banks, LB Tavante Beckett, DE Bruce Hector, WR Javon McKinley, QB Steven Montez, CB Parnell Motley, OT Dan Skipper, and CB Saivion Smith to reserve/future contracts. Zylstra led the Lions' depleted tight end room in snaps in Week 14 but only turned two catches into 18 yards. He finished the year on injured reserve because of a knee injury.