Patriots sign tight end Shane Zylstra to practice squad, reach settlements with two rookies
· Yahoo Sports
The practice squad has reached capacity in Foxborough.
The New England Patriots announced the signing of tight end Shane Zylstra amid a series of moves on Wednesday, bringing the group to its 17-man limit entering the regular season.
Visit esporist.com for more information.
Zylstra, 29, originally entered the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State in 2020. After being waived at the league’s roster deadline following his rookie training camp, the 6-foot-4, 244-pound former Division II All-American joined the Detroit Lions. He went on to spend five years between practice squad, active roster and injured reserve for head coach Dan Campbell in the NFC North before making an offseason stop with the Buffalo Bills.
A veteran of 35 games, including six starts, Zylstra has caught 18 passes for 136 yards and four touchdowns. The tight end’s career spans 582 snaps on offense to go with 393 snaps on special teams. He now heads to a room that features captain Hunter Henry, rookies Eli Raridon and Tanner Arkin, as well as recent waiver claim Cameron Latu on the 53.
In additional movement, the Patriots waived wide receiver Jimmy Kibble and safety Eric Butler from injured reserve with injury settlements on Wednesday. Both will be subject to the claiming period before officially becoming free agents.
Kibble, 22, had been waived with an injury designation as training camp opened in July and subsequently reverted to injured reserve. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound wideout signed in Foxborough as part of the club’s 2026 undrafted class in May. A Georgetown product, Kibble caught 149 receptions for 2,642 yards and 16 touchdowns across 39 games. First-team All-Patriot League honors arrived as a Hoyas captain in 2025 after catching 63 passes for 1,002 yards and four touchdowns.
Butler, 23, worked out in July and signed in August before being let go with an injury designation on the eve of the cutdown deadline. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound safety went undrafted out of San Diego State in 2026 en route to rookie minicamp invitations with the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints. Butler appeared in 48 games, including 23 starts, during his collegiate career. He totaled 119 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception returned a touchdown, plus two blocked punts for the Aztecs.
Seven players remain on injured reserve at Gillette Stadium.
The season-ending group includes running back Myles Montgomery, tight end Julian Hill, wide receiver Jeremiah Webb and defensive tackle Isaiah Iton. As for offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, linebacker Khalil Jacobs and punter Bryce Baringer, all three eligible for activation after missing a minimum of four games.