On Wednesday, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell issued an injury update for nose tackle D.J. Reader, stating he had a “chance” to play in the team’s first regular season game against the Los Angeles Rams. Reader, 30, has been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he heals from a torn quad injury sustained while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Minnesota Vikings in December. However, he was activated prior to the team’s roster reduction to 53 players last week.
Campbell told reporters that the team plans to increase Reader’s workload this week, but he did not guarantee he would be on the field in Detroit Sunday night. “There is a chance. I’d say this week was really what we had planned to pull him away from the most of true football. Like this was his first true padded [exercise]… going against [players] rather than solo [workouts],” Campbell explained. Reader was supposedly working on the team defence and scout team to gain extra reps in after missing the entire preseason. Campbell said he’ll know more about Reader’s progress on Thursday, but added, “He’s doing well.”
LIONS ROSTER PREVIEW: D.J. READER CAN MAKE LIONS D-LINE ELITE—IF HE’S HEALTHY.
If Reader stays healthy, the Lions’ defensive line may be elite. He inked a two-year, $22 million contract that could be worth up to $27.25 million with incentives. Reader was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the 11th best interior defensive lineman in the NFL in 2023, and he was in the top ten two years ago. Reader’s health has been a problem, as he has missed 22 games in the last four seasons.
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