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Lions Place Shane Zylstra on IR, Add Familiar Faces in Busy Roster Shuffle

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The Detroit Lions made a handful of roster moves on Tuesday, and while none are earth-shattering, they’re the kind of transactions that keep a team’s depth steady in the grind of an NFL season.

Zylstra Lands on IR

Tight end Shane Zylstra is headed to injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday’s 52-21 win over the Bears. He went down early and never returned, and now he’ll miss at least the next four games before he’s even eligible to practice again. It’s a tough blow for a reliable depth piece who’s made his mark in Detroit’s tight end room.

Colon Earns His Spot

On the flip side, offensive lineman Trystan Colon has been promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Colon has been one of those steady, flexible linemen who can play multiple interior spots. For a team that preaches trench play as much as Dan Campbell does, having another versatile big man on call is never a bad thing.

Practice Squad Shuffle

The Lions also got busy with their practice squad:

  • Signed QB/WR Malik Cunningham — a dual-threat weapon who could give the defense a Lamar Jackson look in practice ahead of next week’s Monday Night Football matchup against the Ravens.
  • Signed TE Ross Dwelley — a veteran who spent most of his career with the 49ers, appearing in 101 games and starting 17. He’s no stranger to blocking in heavy run schemes and could be a sneaky insurance piece.
  • Released LB Monty Rice — a former third-round pick who never quite carved out a role in Detroit.

The Big Picture

Roster moves like these don’t make headlines like a blockbuster trade, but they matter. Losing Zylstra stings, but adding a vet like Dwelley balances things out. Colon’s promotion reinforces the trenches, and Cunningham’s signing could give Detroit’s defense a useful look in practice this week.

The Bottom Line

The Lions’ front office continues to churn the bottom of the roster to make sure the depth is there when it’s needed. Injuries happen, roles shift, and new faces get opportunities. Tuesday was one of those days where Detroit showed it’s paying attention to every detail, because in a season with Super Bowl expectations, every move counts.

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Don Drysdale

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