Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader is quite the unsung hero for a potent defense. In a world full of Aidan Hutchinson's and Al-Quadin Muhammad's, Reader is a veteran presence on the defensive line that continues to produce at a high level while leading this key Lions unit to easy wins.
Reader is sure to flex his presence against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5, though, as the 10-year veteran is returning to Ohio for the first time with another team since he was signed away from the Bengals back in 2024.
Injuries, a Super Bowl berth, and a somewhat amicable departure defined the waning years of Reader's time with Cincinnati, but he'll be back with Detroit this Sunday amidst another great season starting for the NFC North powerhouse.
Reader could get some revenge against Bengals in Week 5
When he initially signed with the Lions back in 2024, Reader told The Jim Rome Show that there might've been different feelings between himself and Bengals management about his value to the team.
"It's super tough, but things happen in free agency, and whether it's upstairs going in a different direction or, you know, I did get injured a couple times there. They may see it a certain way and I see it different. Who's to say who's right. I'm always gonna feel like I'm right, and they're gonna feel like they're right. It was super tough to leave something that you built, but there's comfort in knowing that I left it in a better place than where I found it. So I had to find comfort in that part."
Reader suffered a torn quad while with the Bengals back in 2024, landing him on the PUP list initially for this coming year with the Lions. But, he's been back and looking spry, and even defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is singing his praises ahead of the Lions' road game against the Bengals.
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"I've got a lot of respect for Reader. I mean, a 10 year vet that's still out there right now taking 40 snaps a game and 330 pounds, it's amazing to see. Coming off an injury two years ago. So, that's my guy, man. DJ Reader is a leader on this defense, and he holds things together on the front," said Sheppard ahead of Thursday's practice before Week 5.
Reader was a very reliable defender for Cincinnati, something they've been desperate to find to pair with Trey Hendrickson over the last few seasons. It's clear that they might've made a mistake letting him walk despite some really serviceable years with the squad, but the Bengals' loss has been the Lions' major gain.