The New England Patriots have officially signed tight end Shane Zylstra to their practice squad, bringing their roster to the maximum limit of 17 players as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season. This move was announced on Wednesday and comes amid a series of roster adjustments.
Shane Zylstra, a 29-year-old tight end, originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2020 after a standout collegiate career at Minnesota State. Although he was waived by the Vikings during the roster cutdown period following his rookie training camp, Zylstra found a new opportunity with the Detroit Lions. Over the past five years, he has navigated through various roles, including time on the practice squad, active roster, and injured reserve, all under the guidance of Lions head coach Dan Campbell. Most recently, he had a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills during the offseason.
Throughout his career, Zylstra has participated in 35 games, starting six of them. He has recorded a total of 18 receptions for 136 yards and four touchdowns. His experience includes 583 offensive snaps and 393 special teams snaps, showcasing his versatility and value to the team.
In addition to Zylstra's signing, the Patriots also waived wide receiver Jimmy Kibble and safety Eric Butler from injured reserve, both of whom will now enter the claiming period before officially becoming free agents. Kibble, who is 22 years old, was initially waived with an injury designation when training camp began in July. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound wideout joined the Patriots as part of their 2026 undrafted class in May, following a successful collegiate career at Georgetown where he amassed 149 receptions for 2,642 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Eric Butler, 23, also faced challenges during his time with the Patriots. After signing with the team in August, he was waived with an injury designation just before the 53-man roster deadline. Butler, who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 195 pounds, went undrafted out of San Diego State in 2026. During his college career, he played in 48 games, starting 23, and recorded 119 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception returned for a touchdown.
Following these roster changes, seven players remain on injured reserve for the Patriots. This includes running back Myles Montgomery, tight end Julian Hill, wide receiver Jeremiah Webb, and defensive tackle Isaiah Iton, all of whom are out for the season. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, linebacker Khalil Jacobs, and punter Bryce Baringer are eligible to return after missing a minimum of four games.
As the Patriots finalize their roster, the addition of Zylstra could provide valuable depth at the tight end position, which is crucial as they look to improve their performance in the upcoming season. The team's ability to navigate injuries and adjust their roster will be key as they aim to compete effectively in the league.
Leave a Comment