The Detroit Lions have started the injury evaluation clock on veteran tight end Shane Zylstra, who returned to practice on Monday.

Zylstra suffered an ankle injury during the team’s Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears and has been on injured reserve since. For most of the year, the Lions were able to get by without Zylstra, as he was the team’s TE3 behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.

However, LaPorta is now most likely out for the season after back surgery, and Wright’s season is in danger of being cut short, as well. Wright suffered a trachea injury against the New York Giants, hasn’t practiced since, and coach Dan Campbell noted that it could be a long-term injury, as they await more test results and second opinions.

That’s all to say that Zylstra’s return is coming at a good time for the Lions. Last week, they relied on Ross Dwelley, Anthony Firkser, and undrafted rookie Zach Horton to fill their tight end vacancies.

It’s unclear how quickly Zylstra can get up to speed and in football shape, but if he can go, he gives the Lions a player with 31 games of experience in this offensive system, including three starts for the team. A former wide receiver, Zylstra is definitely more of an offensive weapon than a blocker—he had four touchdown catches in 2022. But he’s also someone who can contribute on special teams, should the Lions need more juice in that aspect of their game. Since landing in Detroit in 2021, Zylstra has logged a total of 361 special teams snaps.

Miami — After losing their previous two games, the Detroit Pistons bounced back on Saturday night with a 138-135 victory over the Miami Heat. From Duncan Robinson’s homecoming to the Heat’s fourth-quarter rally, which overcame a 22-point deficit, Jaden Ivey’s production at Kaseya Center went somewhat under the radar.

Ivey contributed to the win by playing 14 minutes, notching nine points, two rebounds and an assist. The production the Pistons received from Ivey was a bit surprising, given that the fourth-year guard was not expected to play on the second night of a back-to-back. However, the absences of Jalen Duren (left leg contusion) and Caris LeVert (right knee soreness) made his services needed.

“This is my first back-to-back night in a year or so; I am definitely starting to get used to playing more and getting into a routine,” Ivey told The Detroit News. “I thought tonight was great. I took my time and let the game come to me with the minutes I was given, playing off of everybody else.”

In addition to playing in his first back-to-back games since December 2024, Ivey reached another important milestone in his recovery from injury. The Pistons’ road contest against the Heat also marked Ivey’s fifth game since his season debut against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 22.

While playing under a 15-minute restriction in each of the five games, Ivey has looked promising in his return, averaging 8.2 points on 43.8% shooting from the floor, 35.7% from 3-point range, and 2.0 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game.

He scored in double figures twice, with his best coming during the Pistons’ 122-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 24. Ivey recorded a season-high 12 points off the bench, highlighted by scoring on a step-back 3-pointer that halted the Pacers’ third-quarter rally at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

“It has been great having him back out there; he is such a dynamic player,” Isaiah Stewart said. “His speed, the way he plays the game, it’s great having him out there. He gives the defense a different look and changes the game in different ways.”

Ivey is still working to find his rhythm after a 10-month layoff, but he mentioned that his body felt great during the game against the Heat.

He understands that he still has a long journey ahead before he can return to the player he was during his career year, which ended with a broken left fibula in January. However, his main focus is on doing whatever it takes to help the Pistons win.

“Every single game, making sure that I impact the game in many different ways, even when I am not scoring as much as my normal thought process would be, I can still have an impact on the game,” Ivey said. “Even when I played my first game, I just wanted to help the team and be a part of a winning culture that is being set here. Whatever I can do to help, I am going to do my job and do it every single night.”

The past 11 months have been full of challenges for Ivey. Before suffering a season-ending injury, he played 30 games last season, averaging a career-best 17.6 points on 40.9% shooting from 3-point range, along with 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

He was on track to make his long-awaited return at the start of the season, but sustained a right knee injury during training camp that forced him to have arthroscopic surgery in October.

Ivey has expressed gratitude since returning from injury, and his feelings coincide with those of his teammates and coaches, who believe his return will bolster the Pistons’ 16-4 start to the season.

“(Saturday night) was his best,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “When you haven’t played basketball in nearly 11 months, playing in smaller doses is not always going to be easy. For any guy to come back, it is just hard. Finding your rhythm is hard, but he showed what he is capable of doing.”

Hawks (12-8) at Pistons (16-4)

▶ Tip-off: 7 p.m. Monday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

▶ TV/radio: FDSN/97.1

▶ Pistons injuries: Jalen Duren (left leg contusion; out), Marcus Sasser (right hip impingement; out), Bobi Klintman (left ankle sprain; out)

▶ Projected lineups: Pistons — guards Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson; forwards Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris; center Isaiah Stewart. Hawks — guards Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker; forwards Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson; center Onyeka Okongwu.

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24