DJ Reader emerges at perfect time to provide key boost to Lions' defense

The Detroit Lions signed defensive tackle DJ Reader this offseason hoping for a major statistical impact up front. It took a while, but Reader has emerged at just the right time.

Facing mounting injuries, the Lions needed someone to step up and Reader was up to the challenge against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day, with the best game of his Lions career. He collected four total tackles and two sacks, looking like the force he was prescribed to be with the surface stats to show it.

Reader earned a well-deserved game ball for his strong effort, and admitted he was motivated to push through his recovery from a ruptured quad tendon he suffered late last season. Not to mention appearing to suffer a shoulder injury during Thursday's game.

"I joined this team back in March and I didn't know where I was going to be health-wise. Watching y'all at practice every single day pushed me to get back here and I'm so happy I get to share the field with y'all. I love you boys more than you all know. I appreciate y'all."

Reader's emergence comes at the perfect time for the Lions considering the amount of injuries they have sustained on defense. In the secondary and at linebacker, Detroit is hurting significantly. That means players up front are going to have to not only show locker room leadership, but chip in with key plays like sacks and turnovers.

In Week 13, Reader showed that he is ready to step up and make a major difference. That's great news for the Lions and their banged-up defense.

Dan Campbell praises DJ Reader's impact on Lions' Thanksgiving win

The effort of the defensive line wasn't lost on Campbell, who was impressed with multiple different players. Reader earned an impressive shout-out from the coach which showed he has the firm trust of the staff late in the season.

"Our guys up front played their tails off. Za'Darius (Smith) did some really good things. DJ Reader, I thought he was outstanding. (Alim) McNeill. (Josh) Pascal (was good) before he had the injury. I thought Al-Quadin Muhammad played big for us. Was good to get him back in the lineup. He's a relentless player, gives you all he's got. So, great job with the defensive staff getting the next guy up because we got hit pretty good. We lost a number of guys, so those guys stepped up and helped us. The sack right before the last play of the game was huge."

Reader's ability to not only clog running lanes but generate pocket pressure stands to be huge down the stretch and we may look back on Thanksgiving Day as the launch point for him.