DJ READER NEWS

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

6 DAYS AGO • 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 • 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

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

Won't play Thursday Reader (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Packers, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Impact Reader was unable to practice all week after likely sustaining a shoulder injury in the Lions' Week 13 win over the Bears, so it's no surprise he won't suit up for Thursday night's divisional matchup. Brodric Martin is expected to serve as one of Detroit's first-team interior defensive linemen in Reader's stead in Week 14.

DECEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Estimated as DNP Reader (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimation, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact Reader played 32 defensive snaps and recorded 2.0 sacks in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day win over the Bears. However, it now appears he picked up a shoulder injury in the process. His practice participation Tuesday and Wednesday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can suit up for Detroit's Week 14 divisional matchup against the Packers on Thursday night.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lions get much-needed help at linebacker with Kwon Alexander and may look to add defensive linemen

Help is on the way at linebacker for the Detroit Lions

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Two sacks in victory Reader recorded four total tackles (two solo), including 2.0 sacks, in Thursday's 23-20 win over Chicago.

Impact Reader was able to get to the quarterback for the first time since Week 4, bringing down Caleb Williams twice in Week 13. The defensive tackle has now compiled 18 total tackles (10 solo), including 3.0 sacks, over 11 games in 2024.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Logs full estimated practice Reader (illness) was listed as a full practice participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report.

Impact Reader was under the weather Monday which caused him to be listed as a DNP. However, he was able to participate in Tuesday's walkthrough without limitations and should be good to go against the Bears on Thursday. In the seven regular-season games since the Lions' Week 5 bye, Reader has logged 11 tackles (seven solo).

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

DJ Reader | Huddle for the Harvest photos View photos from Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader's Huddle for the Harvest event, where he and his foundation, A Son Never Forgets,...

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Dealing with illness Reader (illness) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimation, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact Reader appears to be dealing with an illness following the Lions' Week 12 win over the Colts, and he'll likely need to practice in a limited capacity either Tuesday or Wednesday in order to play in Thursday's divisional matchup against the Bears. If the first-year Lion is unable to do so, Levi Onwuzurike and Mekhi Wingo could see additional work with Detroit's first-team defensive line.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Seemingly over quadriceps injury Reader (quadriceps) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Reader was limited in all three practices leading up to Week 1 against the Rams, but he did not end up suiting up for Sunday's game. His full participation Wednesday indicates that the 2016 fifth-round pick should make his regular-season debut against the Buccaneers in Week 2.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Reader (quad) is out for Sunday's game versus the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Reader seems to be close to returning from the quadriceps tear he suffered late last season, but he'll have to wait at least one more week to get back into action. Kyle Peko could see an increase in snaps with Reader unavailable.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable against Rams Reader (quadriceps) was a limited participant for Friday's practice and is questionable for Detroit's Week 1 game against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Reader is still in the late stages of recovery from his quadriceps tear he suffered in Week 15 of last season. The 6-foot-3 defensive tackle has been a limited participant in each of the Lions' practices this week, so his true status will likely be revealed Sunday morning.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in practice Thursday Reader (quadricep) was listed as a limited participant for Thursday's practice session.

Impact Reader is in the final stages of his recovery from a torn quadriceps injury he sustained in Week 15 of the 2023 season against Minnesota. The 2016 fifth-round pick was able to pass his physical in late August and come off the active/PUP list, but his status for the Lions' regular-season opener against the Rams on Sunday is still in the air. If Reader is unable to suit up for Week 1, expect Levi Onwuzurike and Mekhi Wingo to see an increased snap count at defensive tackle alongside starter Alim McNeill.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Week 1 return possible? Reader (quadriceps), who was initially targeting a Week 2 return, has a chance to play in Detroit's Week 1 contest against the Rams, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.

Impact Reader has been managing a quadriceps injury since December, but he was removed from Detroit's active/PUP list Sunday after passing his physical. The 30-year-old nose tackle could play a significant role in the Lions' Week 1 outing if he's available, as Detroit is matching up with a Rams offense that averaged 117.4 rushing yards per game in 2023.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Passes physical, off PUP list Reader (quadriceps) was activated from the Lions' active/PUP list Sunday after passing his physical.

Impact Reader ended 2023 on the Bengals' injured reserve after tearing his quadriceps in Week 15 against the Vikings. He missed OTAs and minicamp and began training camp on the Lions' PUP list, but he appears to have fully recovered from the injury and will work on getting caught up to speed ahead of Week 1 against the Rams on Sept. 8. Reader recorded 34 tackles (20 solo), including 1.0 sacks, one pass defended and one fumble recovery across 14 regular-season games in 2023.

AUGUST 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still working through injury Reader, who was placed on the active/PUP list July 21 as he continues to recover from a torn quadriceps, said Tuesday that he's not sure when he will return to training camp, Eric...

Impact If Reader were to be placed on the reserve/PUP list, he would be forced to miss the Lions' first four games of the regular season. Reader missed the last three games of 2023 after tearing his quadriceps in Week 15 against the Vikings. He finished the season with 34 tackles (20 solo), including 1.0 sacks, one pass defended and one fumble recovery across 14 regular-season games as a member of the Bengals.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets put on PUP list Detroit placed Reader (quadriceps) on its active/PUP list Sunday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact As expected, Reader will begin training camp on the PUP list as he continues to recover from a torn quadriceps he picked up with the Bengals in the 2023 season. Coach Dan Campbell said that Reader would "take a minute" to be back in playing shape, so it's still unclear at this point whether he'll be active for Week 1.

JULY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

McNeill looks forward to playing alongside Reader What will happen when Detroit Lions defensive linemen Alim McNeill & DJ Reader hit the field together? Destruction, according to McNeill.

JUNE 10, 2024 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Lions' D.J. Reader: 'Super tough' to leave Bengals but I don't see being top-three player at DT changing D.J. Reader lands in Detroit with confidence despite the bittersweet feelings he leaves behind. After overseeing a turnaround with Cincinnat...

APRIL 3, 2024 • NFL.COM