Reader (back) is questionable for Monday's game against the Buccaneers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Reader appears to have picked up the injury in Detroit's Week 6 loss, though he was able to practice in limited fashion both Friday and Saturday. That seemingly bodes well for his availability Monday night, though his status won't become official until shortly before kickoff.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Working through back injury
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Reader was a limited participant in Friday's practice due to a back injury, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Reader may have picked up the injury during the Lions' Week 6 loss to the Chiefs, which prevented him from participating in Thursday's practice. His ability to return to practice is a sign he is progressing in his recovery, and his participation in Saturday's session will shed light on his chances of playing against the Buccaneers on Monday. Reader has nine tackles (four solo) through the first six games of the regular season.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Starts 15 games for Detroit
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Reader finished the 2024 season with 23 tackles (11 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and one pass breakup across 15 regular-season games.
After four seasons with the Bengals, Reader signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Lions last offseason and went on to start all 15 regular-season games in which he appeared. Reader missed Week 1 with a quadriceps injury and then missed Week 14 with a shoulder issue. In total, Reader played on 508 defensive snaps and remained an effective interior presence on the Lions' defensive line. If on the roster on the third day of the upcoming league year in March, Reader will collect a $4 million roster bonus. The Lions will likely want to make a decision on Reader's standing with the team by then, as he's set to carry a $12.933 million cap number for the 2025 campaign. Reader will turn 31 in July.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Ready to rock
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Reader (shoulder) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills.
The first-year Lion upgraded from a DNP on Wednesday to a full practice session Friday, suggesting that he's moved past his shoulder injury in time to play Sunday. Reader has recorded 18 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, over 11 appearances this season, and he's expected to serve as one of Detroit's top interior defensive linemen in Week 15.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Returns to practice
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Reader (shoulder) was a limited participant at the Lions' practice Thursday.
Reader was absent from practice Wednesday due to a shoulder injury after also missing the team's Week 14 win over the Packers, so his ability to practice Thursday is a step in the right direction for his chances to play Sunday versus the Bills. The defensive lineman will look to increase his participation at the team's final practice of the week Friday.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Reader (shoulder) was a non-participant in Wednesday's week-opening practice session.
Reader missed last Thursday's win over the Packers due to a shoulder injury, and his absence in the Lions' first practice this week casts a cloud over his status for Sunday's matchup versus Buffalo. Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring), who also missed the contest versus Green Bay, was able to log a limited practice Wednesday, and he could be in line for a healthy dose of defensive snaps Sunday if he's able to return to action and Reader has to sit out another game.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Two sacks in victory
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Reader recorded four total tackles (two solo), including 2.0 sacks, in Thursday's 23-20 win over Chicago.
Reader was able to get to the quarterback for the first time since Week 4, bringing down Caleb Williams twice in Week 13. The defensive tackle has now compiled 18 total tackles (10 solo), including 3.0 sacks, over 11 games in 2024.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Dealing with illness
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Reader (illness) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimation, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Reader appears to be dealing with an illness following the Lions' Week 12 win over the Colts, and he'll likely need to practice in a limited capacity either Tuesday or Wednesday in order to play in Thursday's divisional matchup against the Bears. If the first-year Lion is unable to do so, Levi Onwuzurike and Mekhi Wingo could see additional work with Detroit's first-team defensive line.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Seemingly over quadriceps injury
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Reader (quadriceps) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Reader was limited in all three practices leading up to Week 1 against the Rams, but he did not end up suiting up for Sunday's game. His full participation Wednesday indicates that the 2016 fifth-round pick should make his regular-season debut against the Buccaneers in Week 2.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Won't play Sunday
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Reader (quad) is out for Sunday's game versus the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Reader seems to be close to returning from the quadriceps tear he suffered late last season, but he'll have to wait at least one more week to get back into action. Kyle Peko could see an increase in snaps with Reader unavailable.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Questionable against Rams
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Reader (quadriceps) was a limited participant for Friday's practice and is questionable for Detroit's Week 1 game against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Reader is still in the late stages of his recovery from the quadriceps tear he suffered in Week 15 of last season. The 6-foot-3 defensive tackle has been a limited participant in each of the Lions' practices this week, so his status will likely be revealed Sunday morning.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Week 1 return possible?
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Reader (quadriceps), who was initially targeting a Week 2 return, has a chance to play in Detroit's Week 1 contest against the Rams, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
Reader has been managing a quadriceps injury since December, but he was removed from Detroit's active/PUP list Sunday after passing his physical. The 30-year-old nose tackle could play a significant role in the Lions' Week 1 outing if he's available, as Detroit is matching up with a Rams offense that averaged 117.4 rushing yards per game in 2023.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Still working through injury
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Reader, who was placed on the active/PUP list July 21 as he continues to recover from a torn quadriceps, said Tuesday that he's not sure when he will return to training camp, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
If Reader were to be placed on the reserve/PUP list, he would be forced to miss the Lions' first four games of the regular season. Reader missed the last three games of 2023 after tearing his quadriceps in Week 15 against the Vikings. He finished the season with 34 tackles (20 solo), including 1.0 sacks, one pass defended and one fumble recovery across 14 regular-season games as a member of the Bengals.
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Lions' DJ Reader: Could miss start of training camp
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Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters Thursday that Reader (quadriceps) may not be ready for the start of training camp, per NFL.com.
Reader inked a two-year deal with the Lions back in March, but he has yet to take the field as he continues to recover from a quadriceps issue that he sustained late last year. Injuries have been a concern for the 29-year-old as of late, causing him to miss 10 total games over the last two seasons. Once Reader returns to full health, he's expected to remain one of the league's best run-stoppers in 2024.
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Bengals' DJ Reader: Goes on IR
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Reader (quadriceps) was placed on injured reserve Monday.
Reader suffered a torn quadriceps during Saturday's win over the Vikings and had already been ruled out for the remainder of the season, so his shift to IR does not come as a surprise. Either way, the injury is still a significant blow to the Bengals' defensive front as the team works to earn a playoff spot in the final three weeks of the season. Josh Tupou, Jay Tufele and Zachary Carter will all likely be called upon to help fill the void created by Reader's absence.
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Bengals' DJ Reader: Done for season
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Reader will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn quadriceps, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Reader tore his quadriceps in Saturday's loss to the Vikings. He will now focus on recovering for the 2024 season. In his absence, Josh Tupou will presumably fill in at left tackle.
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Bengals' DJ Reader: Will play through back issue
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Reader (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Colts.
Reader was added to the injury report Friday and was unable to practice. Nevertheless, he'll suit up for a pivotal Week 14 matchup against the Colts and will occupy a significant role in the middle of the Bengals' defensive line.
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Bengals' DJ Reader: Late addition to injury report
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Reader (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Reader popped up on the Bengals' injury report Friday with a back issue, and he now seems to be in jeopardy of missing Sunday's affair. If the veteran defensive tackle were to be held out in Week 14, Josh Tupou would likely see increased work on the Bengals' defensive line.
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Bengals' DJ Reader: Returns from IR
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Reader (knee) was activated off of injured reserve Saturday.
Reader is expected to make his return this week versus the Steelers after injuring his MCL back in Week 3 against the Jets. Reader will return to his starting spot at defensive tackle alongside B.J. Hill, and the former should improve a Bengals run defense that already ranks in the top 10.
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Bengals' D.J. Reader: Cleared to practice
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Reader (knee) was designated to return from injured reserve Monday.
Reader has missed the last six games due to an MCL sprain, but he'll be able to rejoin the Bengals at practice following their Week 10 bye. The 28-year-old will need to be activated from injured reserve within the next three weeks if he hopes to play again in 2022.
