DJ Reader - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

What Lions Must Do to Replace DJ Reader This Offseason The Detroit Lions are going to make some moves this offseason in an attempt to get back to the postseason and avoid missing the dance in 202...

1 DAY AGO • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM

Appears in all 17 games Reader logged 28 tackles (11 solo) across 17 games with the Lions during the 2025 season.

Impact Reader played in every regular-season game for the first time since 2018, and his 578 defensive snaps were his highest since 2019. He wasn't overly impactful on the stat sheet, but he still played a key role along Detroit's defensive line. Reader is set to hit free agency this offseason, and he'll likely have to settle for a short-term deal with a low average-annual value.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

‘The Standard Is the Standard’: How Dan Campbell’s Lions Culture Now Feeds Itself

Lions players reveal how coach Dan Campbell's culture has made Detroit — once a laughingstock — into one of the best-run teams in the NFL.

OCTOBER 30, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

‘The Standard Is the Standard’: How Dan Campbell’s Lions Culture Now Feeds Itself

Detroit Lions players meet with the media | 2025 NFL Regular Season Week 7: Lions vs. Buccaneers

OCTOBER 21, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Green light to play Week 7 Reader (back) is active for Monday's game against Tampa Bay.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Former Tiger, Current NFL Player Doesn't Hold Back – The Clemson Insider A former Clemson standout had plenty to say during and after the Tigers’ 35-24 loss to SMU on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Former Tiger def...

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • THECLEMSONINSIDER.COM

Uncertain for Week 7 Reader (back) is questionable for Monday's game against the Buccaneers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact 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 shortly before kickoff.

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Uncertain for Week 7 Reader (back) is questionable for Monday's game against the Buccaneers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

DJ Reader Hints at Promising Week 7 Status Following Thursday's DNP The Detroit Lions are back at the practice facility this week, as they prepare for their Monday night showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccane...

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM

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

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Reader on Alim McNeill's return Defensive lineman DJ Reader speaks to reporters after practice about Alim McNeill's return ahead of the Lions' Week 7 game vs the Tampa Bay...

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Detroit Lions players meet with the media | 2025 NFL Regular Season Week 6: Lions at Chiefs

OCTOBER 13, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Two NFL Tigers Pegged as Bounce-Back Candidates One national outlet believes a pair of Clemson pros could be primed for bounce-back campaigns in 2025. Pro Football Focus (PFF) listed one b...

JUNE 5, 2025 • THECLEMSONINSIDER.COM

Reader talks offseason routine, new d-line additions & more Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader is enjoying a healthy offseason and is excited to work with first-round draft pick Tyleik Williams...

MAY 24, 2025 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Lions exercise options to keep DE Aidan Hutchinson, WR Jameson Williams under contract through 2026

The Detroit Lions have exercised fifth-year options to keep defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and wide receiver Jameson Williams under contract through the 2026 season

APRIL 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Lions get Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with 28th pick in NFL draft

The Detroit Lions have selected defensive tackle Tyleik Williams of Ohio State with the 28th pick in the NFL draft

APRIL 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Bengals still attempting DJ Reader replacement in mock drafts The Bengals are still trying to fix old mistakes in the newest mock drafts.

MARCH 30, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Lions add run-stuffing DT Roy Lopez with $4.65 million, one-year agreement, AP source says

The Detroit Lions and defensive tackle Roy Lopez have agreed to a $4.65 million, one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal

MARCH 12, 2025 • Associated Press

Starts 15 games for Detroit Reader finished the 2024 season with 23 tackles (11 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and one pass breakup across 15 regular-season games.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Who are the 10 best players in the Commanders-Lions divisional round matchup?

Who are the top 10 players in Saturday's Lions-Commanders NFC divisional round matchup? FOX Sports Research compiled the list.

JANUARY 17, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Who are the 10 best players in the Commanders-Lions divisional round matchup?

Ready to rock Reader (shoulder) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Reader (shoulder) was a limited participant at the Lions' practice Thursday.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

DJ Reader Returns to Practice Thursday, Trevor Nowaske Not Spotted Reader back in action, Nowaske not observed at practice Thursday.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • SI.COM

Doesn't practice Wednesday Reader (shoulder) was a non-participant in Wednesday's week-opening practice session.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Campbell, Lions no longer satisfied with just making the playoffs

For most of a century, the Detroit Lions making the playoffs was a banner day

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • Associated Press

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