Reader (illness) was listed as a full practice participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report. Reader was under the weather Monday, which caused him to be listed as a DNP. However, he was able to participate in Tuesday's walkthrough without limitations and should be good to go against the Bears on Thursday. In the seven regular-season games since the Lions' Week 5 bye, Reader has logged 11 tackles (seven solo).
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Status
ACTIVEPrevious game (@ IND 11/24)
Next game projections (vs. CHI 11/28)
Latest DJ Reader news
2024 Season Tackles
2024 Season Sacks
2024 Season Interceptions
2024 Season Fumbles
D.J. Reader Career Stats
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Career Stats - TACKLES
TOTALASTSOLO291134157Career Stats - Sacks
SCKSCKYDSTFL10.5600Career Stats - INTERCEPTIONS
INTPDTD080Career Stats - Fumbles
FFFRFTD130Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions
Defense Fumbles
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Career Stats - TACKLES
TOTALASTSOLO361620Career Stats - Sacks
SCKSCKYDSTFL2120Career Stats - INTERCEPTIONS
INTPDTD010Career Stats - Fumbles
FFFRFTD000Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions
Defense Fumbles
D.J. Reader
Season Stats
Previous Game (@ IND 11/24)
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TACKLES
TOTALASTSOLO1468Sacks
SCKSCKYDSTFL140INTERCEPTIONS
INTPDTD000Fumbles
FFFRFTD000
D.J. Reader
Game Log
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Regular SeasondefensiveDateOppResultSOLOASTTOTALSACKSACKYDSINTDEFTFL11/24W 24-61010000111/17W 52-61120000011/10W 26-231120000011/3W 24-140000000010/27W 52-141120000010/20W 31-292020000010/13W 47-9112000009/30W 42-29101140019/22W 20-13011000009/15L 16-2001100000
Regular Season Totals 861414002
D.J. Reader Player Profile
Career History
D.J. Reader Fantasy Projections
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Next Game12:30 pm November 28Lions10-1Bears4-7TOT 1.5SACK 0.1SOLO 1.0AST 0.5INT 0.0TFL 0.2
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Full season projectionsTOT 43.6SACK 1.3SOLO 25.5AST 18.1
D.J. Reader Latest News
Logs full estimated practice
Reader (illness) was listed as a full practice participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report. Reader was under the weather Monday, which caused him to be listed as a DNP. However, he was able to participate in Tuesday's walkthrough without limitations and should be good to go against the Bears on Thursday. In the seven regular-season games since the Lions' Week 5 bye, Reader has logged 11 tackles (seven solo).
Dealing with illness
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.
Seemingly over quadriceps injury
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.
Won't play Sunday
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.
Questionable against Rams
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 recovery from his 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 true status will likely be revealed Sunday morning.
Limited in practice Thursday
Reader (quadricep) was listed as a limited participant for Thursday's practice session. Reader is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn quadriceps injury 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.
Week 1 return possible?
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.
Passes physical, off PUP list
Reader (quadriceps) was activated from the Lions' active/PUP list Sunday after passing his physical. Reader ended 2023 on the Bengals' injured reserve after tearing his quadriceps in Week 15 against the Vikings. He missed OTAs and minicamp and began training camp on the Lions' PUP list, but he appears to have fully recovered from the injury and will work on getting up to speed ahead of Week 1 against the Rams on Sept. 8. Reader recorded 34 tackles (20 solo), including 1.0 sacks, one pass defended and one fumble recovery across 14 regular-season games in 2023.
Still working through injury
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.