The Detroit Lions are back at the practice facility this week, as they prepare for their Monday night showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Lions have been the walking wounded on the defensive side of the ball, as they’ve seen multiple players in the secondary get banged up, including star safety Kerby Joseph. Detroit thought it might have to worry about veteran defensive lineman D.J. Reader, who was given the DNP tag because of a back ailment on Thursday.
However, those fears quickly went away on Friday. According to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News, Reader was back at practice and had a great answer when asked if he was doing better.
“Yeah, I’m solid. I’m solid. Just old,” the veteran defensive lineman said to Bianchi. In the Lions’ Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Reader played a season-high 43 defensive snaps and had five combined tackles.
DJ Reader Quickly Returns to Practice on Friday After Receiving DNP
The Lions officially listed the 31-year-old defensive tackle as a limited participant following Friday’s practice.
Detroit is taking a huge sigh of relief, as they’ve asked Reader to do a lot through the first six games this season. The veteran defender has already played 60.4% of defensive snaps. The last time that happened was in 2022 with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Last season with the Lions, Reader started in 15 games and played 53% of defensive snaps. But more help is on the way for the interior of the Lions’ defensive line, as Alim McNeill is on the verge of making his 2025 debut on Monday night.
McNeill has missed the first six games due to a torn ACL that he suffered last December, which was just one of many injuries Detroit suffered last year. Before getting injured, McNeill had 25 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble in 15 games. He also notched a career-high 18 quarterback pressures.
The 25-year-old defensive tackle isn’t a sack artist, but having him back in the middle of the line applying pressure, along with Reader and rookie Tyleik Williams, gives the Lions one of the better DT groups in the league.
With this being the last game before the Week 8 bye, it will be interesting to see how Reader plays, along with McNeill, against this Tampa Bay Buccaneers' team, which is also struggling with injuries.