Zylstra played 22 of the Lions' 60 snaps on offense and failed to haul in his lone target in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Packers.
What it means:
After a big three-touchdown outing in the Lions' Week 16 loss to the Panthers, Zylstra was unable to carry that momentum into Detroit's final two games of the season. Between wins over Chicago and Green Bay to close out the campaign, Zylstra recorded one catch for seven yards on three targets. The 26-year-old ultimately tallied 11 receptions for 60 yards and four touchdowns on 15 targets over his 13 appearances this season, and though those numbers put him roughly on par with Brock Wright as Detroit's most productive tight end for fantasy purposes after T.J. Hockenson was traded to Minnesota in November, neither Zylstra nor Wright will likely be promised major roles are both back with Detroit in 2023. Expect Detroit to explore the free-agent market or the draft this offseason to bring aboard a more-established or higher-upside option to its tight-end room.
Zylstra brought in five of six targets for 26 yards with three touchdowns during Saturday's 37-23 loss to Carolina.
What it means:
Becoming a bigger and bigger part of the passing game in every passing week since Detroit traded T.J. Hockenson, Zylstra was largely used on short routes Saturday -- particularly near the goal line. However, this marked Zylstra's first game of the season with more than two targets, and he's averaging just over five yards per catch on his 10 receptions this season. Despite the big day, Zylstra is not on the fantasy radar in Week 17 against Chicago.
Zylstra played 23 of the Lions' 68 snaps on offense and finished with two receptions for 18 yards on two targets in Sunday's 34-23 win over the Vikings.
What it means:
Though Brock Wright led the Detroit tight-end room with a 56 percent snap share, Zylstra led the position group in production. Zylstra has four receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown over his nine appearances on the season and is unlikely to see more than a look or two in the passing attack while Detroit has all of its key receivers and running backs available.
Detroit signed Zylstra from its practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game at Chicago.
What it means:
After he caught a touchdown in Week 9, Zylstra was added to the 53-man roster for good ahead of Week 10. When the Lions traded away T.J. Hockenson, Zylstra was arguably the team's best remaining receiving threat at tight end.
Detroit reverted Zylstra to the practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
What it means:
Zylstra was summoned to the active roster ahead of the Week 9 win over the Packers and played five special-teams snaps as well as 16 of a possible 62 offensive snaps. That put him well behind Brock Wright's 50 snaps but ahead of James Mitchell's 13. Zylstra made the most of his one target Sunday, hauling in a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter. With T.J. Hockenson now with Minnesota, it wouldn't be surprising to see Zylstra be elevated again for Week 10.
Zylstra was elevated from Detroit's practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins.
What it means:
Zylstra will be on the Lions' active roster for the first time since Week 3. He has served primarily on special teams in three contests this season, though he may see a slight uptick in offensive role in the absence of T.J. Hockenson.
