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

Reader said Wednesday that he's lost about 30 pounds since the end of last season, dropping his weight to around 317, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Reader often played nose tackle in Houston the past four seasons and showed some pass-rushing talent with 13 quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks in 2019. After defecting to Cincinnati on a four-year, $53 million contract, Reader probably envisions himself getting more opportunities to chase quarterbacks as a 3-technique tackle in a 4-3 defense. The change might mean sacrificing something against the run, but it's not like he'll be undersized at 317 pounds.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Tue 3/17/20 4:49 PM

Reader is slated to sign a four-year, $53 million deal with the Bengals, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
That will make Reader -- who recorded 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Texans in 2019 -- the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL, while Field Yates of ESPN notes that by adding him to the mix alongside Geno Atkins, the Bengals will now boast one of the best defensive tackle duos in the league.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Sat 1/25/20 8:00 AM

Reader finished the 2019 season with career highs in tackles (52) and sacks (2.5) over 15 games.
EDGE Analysis
Reader has been a durable staple at defensive tackle for the Texans, missing just three games over the last four years. Houston must decide if it's worth keeping 25-year-old run stuffer, who enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. The Texans ranked 25th in rushing defense, an aspect of defense where a nose tackle like Reader earns his salary. While running backs had a resurgence in the NFL in 2019, defending the pass remains the primary concern for all teams. Houston's pass defense ranked 29th, and the unit was exposed in the playoff loss to the Chiefs. The Texans will need to decide how to allocate their expenditures on defense, and if it's worth paying north of $10 million for a run-stuffing nose tackle.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Sun 12/22/19 4:49 PM

Reader made three tackles (two solo) in Saturday's 23-20 win over the Buccaneers.
EDGE Analysis
That's two-straight three-tackle games for the 25-year-old. He's now up to 52 on the year (28 solo) with just 2.5 sacks.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 12/16/19 11:37 PM

Reader recorded four tackles (one solo) across 47 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Titans.
EDGE Analysis
Reader recorded a quarterback hit in the contest and played in 70 percent of the defensive snaps. The nose tackle will now shift his focus to Saturday's showdown with the Buccaneers.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 10/14/19 7:56 PM

Reader made three tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Chiefs.
EDGE Analysis
The 25-year-old continues to plug up the middle of Houston's defensive line, moving his season tackle total to 22. Reader played 39 of 58 defensive snaps in the contest, and will draw a solid matchup against the Colts for Week 7.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 10/7/19 7:14 AM

Reader recorded four tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and one quarterback hit in Sunday's 53-32 win over Atlanta in Week 5.
EDGE Analysis
Reader's been a mainstay in the middle of Houston's defensive line since he was drafted in 2016, but he doesn't typically record many sacks. His 2.5 sacks through five games in 2019 is a new career best for the fourth-year nose tackle.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 9/23/19 10:35 AM

Reader notched three tackles (one solo) and 1.5 sacks in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Chargers.
EDGE Analysis
Used primarily as a run stopper, Reader's value in IDP formats will ebb and flow as the season moves along, but his performance in Week 3 was fruitful and certainly showed what the young lineman is capable of. Reader was a force for much of Sunday's game; the 25-year-old defensive tackle recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, in addition to his sack total.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 8/19/19 8:51 PM

Reader. who missed time during training camp with a groin injury, returned to practice Monday, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Reader, the Texans starter at nose tackle, is expected to make his preseason debut Saturday against the Cowboys.

DJ Reader
IL/DT DET (8)
Mon 9/10/18 7:39 AM

Reader had three tackles, two sacks and three quarterback hits in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Patriots in Week 1.
EDGE Analysis
A nose tackle by trade, Reader made both of his sacks after bouncing outside to end when Christian Covington left the game with a thigh injury. He equaled the number of sacks posted over his first two years in the league.