A little more than 48 hours until the Detroit Lions are required to finalize an initial 53-man roster, the team announced they would be adding a big piece to the mix with the activation of 335-pound defensive tackle DJ Reader off the physically unable to perform list.
Signed this offseason, Reader has spent the past several months rehabbing from a torn quad he suffered last December. He told the Detroit Football Network earlier this month his goal was to avoid starting the regular season on PUP, which would have ruled him out for the first four games.
That looked increasingly realistic when Lions coach Dan Campbell recently said the team was exploring Reader’s return to practice next week. Still, the defender's status for the season opener remains unclear. It wouldn’t be surprising if Reader isn’t ready for the Sept. 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
A nine-year veteran, Reader has established himself as one of the league’s best run-stopping interior linemen. A fifth-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2016, he spent his first four seasons with Houston and the last four in Cincinnati.
He reinforces Detroit’s run defense that finished second in yards per game and third in yards per carry allowed in 2023. He also adds to a deep group of defensive tackles, headlined by Alim McNeill and supplemented by Kyle Peko, Levi Onwuzurike, Brodric Martin and sixth-round draft pick Mekhi Wingo.
Good news, even if he doesn't start until game 3
I assume he is in good enough football shape that he won't injure something else first game back.