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: Limited in practice Thursday
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Reader (quadriceps) was listed as a limited participant for Thursday's practice session.
Reader is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn quadriceps he sustained in Week 15 of the 2023 season against Minnesota. The 2016 fifth-round pick was able to pass his physical in late August and come off the active/PUP list, but his status for the Lions' regular-season opener against the Rams on Sunday is still in the air. If Reader is unable to suit up for Week 1, expect Levi Onwuzurike and Mekhi Wingo to see an increased snap count at defensive tackle alongside starter Alim McNeill.
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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' DJ Reader: Will play Sunday, per HC
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Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Friday that Reader (knee) will play Sunday against the Steelers, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.
Reader was designated to return from injured reserve Monday after missing the previous six games due to an MCL sprain, but he appears to have progressed well during practice and is in line to suit up Sunday. Despite Taylor's optimism, Reader won't officially clear his injury designation until the Bengals activate the defensive tackle from IR.
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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.
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Bengals' D.J. Reader: Won't return Monday night
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Bengals' coach Zac Taylor said that Reader (knee) won't be ready to return Monday night against the Browns, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports.
Hobson suggested the Bengals will likely hold out Reader until after they return from their bye week, November 20th against the Steelers.
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Bengals' D.J. Reader: Won't return Sunday
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Readers (knee) is ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Jets, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Reader went down with a knee injury after making a tackle in the first half against the Jets, though he was ultimately able to walk off under his own power, per Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer. The starting defensive tackle recorded eight tackles (seven solo) over the first two games this season, and his absence will mark a substantial blow for the Bengals' defense. As a result, expect Josh Tupou to step up into a larger role against the Jets.
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Bengals' D.J. Reader: Ruled out for Week 18
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Reader (coach's decision) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.
Reader returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list, but he didn't travel with the team ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Browns since the Bengals will be resting several starters ahead of the playoffs. Across 15 appearances in the regular season, he totaled 43 tackles (22 solo) and two sacks.
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Bengals' D.J. Reader: Returns from COVID list
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Reader (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.
Reader tested positive for the virus over the weekend but has cleared the health and safety protocols over the next few days. He should return to his starting role at defensive tackle for Cincinnati in Week 17 now that he's available.
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Bengals' D.J. Reader: Lands on COVID-19 list
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The Bengals placed Reader (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
Reader was unavailable for Sunday's win over the Ravens after he tested positive for COVID-19. His status for Sunday's Week 17 matchup against Kansas City depends on whether he's able to test negative for the virus before then, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
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Bengals' D.J. Reader: Bengals still struggle against run
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The Bengals, which overhauled their defense to better defend against the run with Reader as a key offseason signing, are 27th in rush yards allowed and last in the NFL in yards after contact, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.
This is not to say that this lies at the feet of Reader - in fact, the team is pleased with his performance so far. But, Cincinnati has been strikingly poor in finishing tackles as a defensive unit, although they haven't been at full strength so far. The biggest absences have been Geno Atkins and Trae Waynes, who haven't played at all. Additionally, Mackensie Alexander and Logan Wilson missed the Week 4 game.
