DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 12/27/21 3:51 PM

The Bengals placed Reader (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
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.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Fri 10/1/21 1:24 PM

Reader recorded six tackles (one solo) in Thursday's 24-21 win over the Jaguars.
EDGE Analysis
Reader did a decent job clogging up the middle, though Jaguars running back James Robinson and quarterback Trevor Lawrence combined to score three touchdowns on the ground, accounting for all of Jacksonville's points. The 27-year-old defensive tackle has 14 tackles and a sack through four games.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Tue 9/21/21 3:55 PM

Reader totaled three tackles and one sack during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Bears.
EDGE Analysis
Reader only played in five games during his first season with the Bengals due to a quadriceps injury, but he looks poised to put his lost season behind him. The 27-year-old has played more than 50.0 percent of the Bengals' defensive snaps in each game so far.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 7/26/21 2:09 PM

Reader (quadriceps) has been fully cleared heading into camp, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
EDGE Analysis
Reader suffered a season-ending injury in October but has successfully recovered. He's expected to regain his starting role on the interior of Cincinnati's defensive line.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 10/12/20 2:24 PM

Reader (quadriceps) was placed on injured reserve Monday.
EDGE Analysis
The Bengals fears that Reader suffered a season-ending injury during Sunday's loss to the Ravens. While that hasn't been confirmed, his placement on IR means he won't be eligible to return until Week 10 against the Steelers, at the earliest. However, it's likely he's shut down for the season, which would push Christian Covington into a starting role alongside Geno Atkins.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Sun 10/11/20 5:13 PM

The Bengals believe that Reader (knee) suffered a season-ending quadriceps during Sunday's 27-3 loss to the Ravens, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Reader will undergo additional medical evaluation in the coming days, but for now the Bengals are preparing for the eventuality of losing the starting defensive tackle for the year. Christian Covington, who had handled a rotational defensive role through the first four games of the season, stands to see additional snaps going forward.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Sun 10/11/20 3:22 PM

Reader (knee) was carted off the field during Sunday's game against the Ravens and has been ruled out for the remainder of the contest, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
The injury thins out Cincinnati's front against Baltimore's potent rushing attack, thrusting 26-year-old Christian Covington into an important role along the interior defensive line. The newly-acquired Reader collected just one tackle prior to his exit Sunday, but he had recorded 18 tackles, one tackle for loss and one QB hit Weeks 1 through 4.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Thu 10/8/20 3:22 PM

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.
EDGE Analysis
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.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 9/14/20 4:06 PM

Reader (muscle cramps) wasn't listed on Monday's injury report, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
It was quite concerning when Reader was carted off the field during Sunday's loss to the Chargers, but it was indeed just muscle cramps, as he was a full participant in Monday's practice. He'll be counted on heavily in Thursday's matchup against the Browns, especially if Geno Atkins (shoulder) is unable to go.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Sun 9/13/20 7:08 PM

Reader (muscle cramps) is probable to return to Sunday's tilt against the Chargers, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Reader was carter off the field due to what initially looked to be a significant injury, so it's encouraging to see him listed as probable. As long as Reader remains off the field, however, the Bengals defense will face increased difficulty stopping the run.