Detroit Lions place D.J. Reader on PUP list prior to training camp

D.J. Reader has been placed on the physically unable-to-perform list for the Detroit Lions ahead of his first season and training camp with the franchise. Signing with Detroit this offseason in March to a two-year, $27.25 million deal following four seasons with the Houston Texans and four with the Cincinnati Bengals.

In Week 15 last season for the Bengals Reader went down with a torn quadriceps tendon that put an end to his season, required surgery, and marked the second torn quad injury of his NFL career. But in April he told Jim Rome that he sees himself getting back to his elite level of play once he returns.

“I don’t see any setbacks keeping me from being able to be right back where I was and the player I was,” Reader said. “When I’m out there playing, I’m one of the top three players at my position. So I don’t think that’s gonna change once I get back and this knee’s back. I think it’ll be, like you said, another setup for greatness to go out there and do this thing.”

Reader had a strong season in 2021 after suffering from his torn quad injury in 2020, and will look to bounce back in the same way in his first season with the Lions. Joining Detroit as a 30 year-old veteran with 105 games played his his career where he recorded 277 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.

Defensive lineman Marcus Davenport and defensive back Brian Branch also joined Reader on Detroit’s PUP list. With rookie offensive tackle Giovanni Manu placed on the Non-Football Injury list as well for the Lions.

“Yeah, I would say Reader would be the one who – he’ll be a decision on at what point is he ready to start practicing. But that’s not something that we’re caught off guard by,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said in early June. “We knew this would take a minute here.”

Reader has been one of the most productive interior lineman in the NFL since joining the league. Drafted by the Texans with the No. 166 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Clemson. Where he was a permanent co-captain for the and also lettered in baseball along with football. And the Lions are hoping he can return to prime form this upcoming football season as a new contributor on their defensive line.