The latest health update on Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader has been released.
The Detroit Lions had a remarkable season in 2023, capturing their division title for the first time since the early 1990s and reaching the NFC Championship game. Although they didn’t make it to the Super Bowl, there’s a lot of optimism surrounding the Lions as they head into the 2024 season. Fans are particularly excited about the recent news regarding defensive tackle DJ Reader.
Reader, who joined the Lions in the offseason, has cleared his physical and been taken off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, as announced by the team. He had been sidelined since suffering a torn quad last December while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The return of Reader is a huge advantage for younger players like Brodric Martin. Martin mentioned that having an experienced veteran like Reader on the team is akin to having an additional coach to learn from, according to John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated.
“He’s like having another coach who’s actively playing, someone who’s been doing it at a high level for a long time,” Martin said after the preseason finale. “Just having him out there to help, share his knowledge, and offer insights into how to handle certain blocks is incredibly valuable.”
DJ Reader arrives in Detroit with over NFL 100 games under his belt
“That’s just how it goes,” Reader said. “I’m putting in the work every day to see where I stand, and I’ll be ready depending on how things unfold. I haven’t worn pads like the others yet, so I’m still in that process.”
Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Reader went to Grimsley High School before continuing his education at Clemson University, where he played both football and baseball but chose football as his career focus.
Drafted 166th overall in the 5th round by the Houston Texans in 2016, Reader spent his first four NFL seasons with them before signing a four-year contract with the Bengals in 2020. Over 105 career games, he has started 96, notching 277 tackles (149 solo) and 9.5 sacks.
Michael Whitaker, a seasoned NHL writer, also covers local Detroit sports for Bally Sports Detroit. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism from Eastern Michigan University.
