DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 10/20/25 5:45 PM

Reader (back) is active for Monday's game against Tampa Bay.
EDGE Analysis
Reader drew the questionable tag for Monday's contest after ending the week with back-to-back limited practices, but the veteran has been cleared to play after going through pregame warmups. Reader has logged nine tackles (four solo) through the first six games of the regular season.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Sat 10/18/25 7:51 PM

Reader (back) is questionable for Monday's game against the Buccaneers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
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.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Fri 10/17/25 6:19 PM

Reader was a limited participant in Friday's practice due to a back injury, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
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.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Thu 1/30/25 12:03 AM

Reader finished the 2024 season with 23 tackles (11 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and one pass breakup across 15 regular-season games.
EDGE Analysis
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 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 years old in July.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Fri 12/13/24 4:33 PM

Reader (shoulder) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills.
EDGE Analysis
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.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Thu 12/12/24 8:32 PM

Reader (shoulder) was a limited participant at the Lions' practice Thursday.
EDGE Analysis
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.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Wed 12/11/24 10:20 PM

Reader (shoulder) was a non-participant in Wednesday's week-opening practice session.
EDGE Analysis
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.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Wed 12/4/24 4:09 PM

Reader (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Packers, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.
EDGE Analysis
Reader was unable to practice all week after likely sustaining a shoulder injury in the Lions' Week 13 win over the Bears, so it's no surprise he won't suit up for Thursday night's divisional matchup. Brodric Martin is expected to serve as one of Detroit's first-team interior defensive linemen in Reader's stead in Week 14.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 12/2/24 4:30 PM

Reader (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Reader played 32 defensive snaps and recorded 2.0 sacks in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day win over the Bears. However, it now appears he picked up a shoulder injury in the process. His practice participation Tuesday and Wednesday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can suit up for Detroit's Week 14 divisional matchup against the Packers on Thursday night.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Thu 11/28/24 11:23 PM

Reader recorded four total tackles (two solo), including 2.0 sacks, in Thursday's 23-20 win over Chicago.
EDGE Analysis
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.