As the Detroit Lions prepare for Sunday's showdown with the Washington Commanders, fans in the Motor City are wondering when they'll see cornerback D.J. Reed on the field again. The eight-year NFL veteran has been sidelined since the end of September with a hamstring injury, and his presence has been sorely missed in a secondary that has dealt with several issues all season.
Even though Reed was eligible to come off injured reserve recently, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said a late-November return is "more likely." That's a long wait for Detroit fans, and the 28-year-old CB's timetable has since lengthened after Campbell told Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett on Friday that Reed could be back "in early December."
Lions' D.J. Reed's Injury Return Timetable Grows Longer
On paper, there might not be a big difference between a late-November and early-December return. At the same time, the fact that Reed's return date is now further back than it was a week ago could raise alarm bells, especially if it becomes a trend rather than a one-off instance.
Signed to a 3-year, $48 million contract in free agency, Reed was brought to the Motor City to help a secondary that needed bodies. Star ballhawk Carlton Davis left to join the New England Patriots via free agency, while Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kindle Vildor signed with the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively, leaving Detroit hopeful its new addition could fill the void.
Reed's first few games as a Lion left something to be desired; however, he started to improve as time went on, judging by his Pro Football Focus coverage grades and passer rating when targeted:
Game | PFF Coverage Grade | Passer Rating Allowed |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 | 30.5 | 105.8 |
Week 2 | 65.1 | 113.9 |
Week 3 | 78.9 | 42.4 |
Week 4 | 80.9 | 26.8 |
Considering how his best game of the season came in his last outing, it's no surprise that Lions fans are eager to get Reed back on the gridiron. He was finally living up to his lofty price tag, and Detroit's coaching staff will need him to be as healthy as can be down the stretch to challenge for the Lombardi Trophy.
Assuming that an early-December return is accurate, either the matchup against the Dallas Cowboys (Thursday, Dec. 4) or the Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, Dec. 14) fits the bill. The Rams showdown might be the safer bet, as that would give the Lions 10 days between games to make sure that Reed is good to go, rather than forcing him to return one week after Thanksgiving Day. Then again, that would be on the road in L.A., so maybe at home against Dallas makes more sense.
Either way, Reed's health is something Lions fans will keep monitoring throughout November. Hopefully, the next update on his health is a positive step rather than another delayed return.