Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is confident that defensive lineman D.J. Reader (quadriceps) will play in Week 2. Reader has been out with a quad injury he suffered in Week 15 with the Cincinnati Bengals last season. He signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Lions in the offseason. Reader is a game-wrecker at times at defensive tackle and should only boost the Lions' excellent defense upon his return. After a solid performance against the Rams in Week 1, the Lions' D/ST could be on the rise with Reader approaching a return.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader (quad) will be inactive for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 30-year-old was activated from the PUP list a couple of weeks ago but isn't quite ready to return to game action. Once he does return to the NFL, he'll be making his Lions debut. He spent the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, finishing his stint with 34 tackles, seven quarterback hits, and one sack in 2023. Levi Onwuzurike should step up and earn more snaps in Reader's absence, even if it's just for one week.
The Detroit Lions removed defensive lineman DJ Reader (quadriceps) from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Sunday, the team announced. Reader now has a shot to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams after initially targeting a Week 2 return. It will all depend on how much he can do in practice the next two weeks. The 30-year-old defensive tackle has been dealing with a quadriceps muscle issue since last December, but he's finally getting over the hump. With only 9.5 sacks in his eight seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals, Reader isn't exactly on the IDP fantasy radar, but he could provide the Lions with key run-stopping depth in the middle of their offensive line as early as Week 1.
The Detroit Lions placed defensive lineman DJ Reader (quadriceps), edge rusher Marcus Davenport (ankle) and defensive back Brian Branch (ankle) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday, meaning they will not be able to practice with the team for the start of training camp this week. This was fully expected for Reader, who tore his quadriceps last year while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. The 30-year-old has been one of the NFL's most productive interior defenders the last eight years and is expected to play a big role on the interior of Detroit's D-line when he's healthy. He's not a fantasy option in IDP leagues, though, with only 9.5 career sacks in eight years in the league, although he's produced at least 32 QB pressures in each of the last three seasons.
D.J. Reader Has Uncertain Status For Training Camp
Detroit Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader (quad) could miss the start of training camp later this summer due to the torn quad he suffered in Week 15 of last season, according to head coach Dan Campbell. The 29-year-old signed a two-year, $22 million contract to join the Lions this offseason after spending four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. While the Clemson product has not been named to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team, he is viewed as one of the better run-stopping interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Through his first 106 NFL games with the Texans and Bengals, he has accumulated 277 tackles, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, eight pass deflections, and 32 run stuffs. Although it's not ideal to miss any training camp action, he should be ready for the start of the regular season.
Free-agent defensive tackle D.J. Reader (quadriceps) has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Detroit Lions, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 29-year-old is known as one of the best run-stuffing interior defensive linemen in the NFL, and he lands on a team that was excellent in defending the run last season (91.1 rushing yards per game allowed). Reader suffered a torn quad in Week 15 of last season, so there's a chance he could be eased into action this offseason and early in the 2024 campaign. The Lions already had studs at edge rusher (Aidan Hutchinson) and defensive tackle (Alim McNeill), so Reader's arrival forms one of the best defensive lines in the league as Detroit looks to remain in contention for a Super Bowl.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (knee) and cornerback DJ Ivey (knee) exited during the first quarter of Saturday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Both players have been ruled out and will not return. Neither player registered a tackle prior to their respective departures. Zach Carter and Josh Tupou will earn more snaps in Reader's absence.
D.J. Reader Designated To Return From Injured Reserve
The Cincinnati Bengals have designated defensive lineman D.J. Reader (knee) to return from Injured Reserve, which opens up his 21-day window to officially be activated from IR. Reader has been out for the last six games due to a sprained MCL, but he'll be able to return to practice this week and has a shot to come off IR to play as soon as Week 11 against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers as the team comes off their Week 10 bye. The 28-year-old's return will beef up the interior of the Bengals' defensive line for the second half of the 2022 season. Before his injury, Reader played in only three games, recording 10 tackles (eight solo), three QB hits and a fumble recovery.
The Cincinnati Bengals placed defensive tackle D.J. Reader (knee) on the Injured Reserve on Thursday. He will be out a minimum of four weeks, but six weeks is the expected recovery time. Reader is dealing with an MCL injury to his left knee and will be out for the foreseeable future. With the 28-year-old defensive tackle out for a while, the Bengals will turn to rookie Zachary Carter on the interior of their defensive line, starting on Thursday night for a Week 4 matchup with the 3-0 Miami Dolphins.
Initial tests revealed that Cincinnati Bengals star defensive tackle D.J. Reader (knee) will miss an extended period of time after suffering a knee injury in the Week 3 win over the New York Jets, according to a source. His injury isn't season-ending, but the Bengals will be without him for a while, starting this Thursday night against the 3-0 Miami Dolphins. It's bad news for the interior of the Bengals defensive line, as the 28-year-old is the team's top defensive tackle. Expect Zachary Carter to see more playing time moving forward at the position for Cincy. Reader is in his third season with the Bengals and had 10 tackles (eight solo), three QB hits and a fumble recovery in the first three weeks of the season.
