Detroit Lions waive Shane Zylstra after significant knee injury. Do they have cover?
Just two days after he suffered a severe knee injury, the Detroit Lions have decided to cut ties with their tight end who’s fresh off of a breakout season.
While the franchise’s position is completely understandable, it will likely incur the wrath of some who will see the move as one more example of the cold nature of professional sports i.e., you’re only valuable if you’re useful.
Colts waive Shane Zylstra following knee injury
If you caught our recent report about the Detroit Lions’ tight end, Shane Zylstra, then you will know that both he and the team received a major blow on Monday, when it was first confirmed that the 26-year-old had suffered a significant knee injury during a training camp session. Indeed, we also explained that while Zylstra would face more tests, initial evaluations suggested that he could miss up to six months as a result of the injury. Unfortunately, it now seems that regardless of how long his recovery takes, he will be doing it on his own. According to an official team announcement on Tuesday, the Lions have taken the decision to waive Zylstra.
How did Shane Zylstra injure his knee?
Regarding how the injury occurred, the Detroit News reported on Monday that Zylstra injured his right leg after being hit low by cornerback Khalil Dorsey. He was then taken to the locker room where an initial round of evaluation took place. Sadly, this comes on the back of what was a breakout year for Zylstra as he hauled in 11 receptions for 60 yards and four touchdowns. Indeed, who could forget his performance during Week 16′s game against the Carolina Panthers when he caught five passes for 26 yards and three touchdowns.
Do the Lions have cover for Shane Zylstra?
It was back in 2020 when Zylstra went undrafted out of Minnesota State, and was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings. Interestingly, it was during this first foray in the NFL when the Vikings switched him from wide receiver to tight end, though he didn’t actually make their final roster. From there he joined Detroit’s practice squad and worked his way up. Across a total of 17 NFL games played, Zylstra has caught 14 passes for 94 yards and four touchdowns. Fortunately, as much as Zylstra’s absence will be felt, the Lions do have cover in the form of Sam LaPorta, Derrick Deese Jr., James Mitchell, and Brock Wright. Where LaPorta specifically is concerned, he was recently selected out of Iowa with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Expect to see offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaning heavily on him this coming season.