DJ Reader leaves no doubt about his status for Sunday against the Bills

The list of injured Detroit Lions' defensive players has seemed to have multiple someone's added to it every week, and Thanksgiving Day was no different. Defensive tackle DJ Reader suffered a shoulder injury against the Chicago Bears, and despite being able to return to that game he missed the Week 14 game against the Green Bay Packers.

As the Lions began their practice week heading into Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, Reader was limited to work off to the side with trainers. On Thursday he graduated to being a limited participant, but his status for Sunday's game lingers as a question mark.

Reader talked to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, and noted the obvious about the game against the Bills.

"Another good team, another worthy opponent,:" Reader said. We got to go out there and take care of business. I think they've been good the last couple of years, got some really, really good players and kudos to them losing some guys, just kind still turning over the offense, doing what they do. So we just got to go out there and take care of them."

DJ Reader leaves no doubt about his status for Sunday vs. Bills

Missing last week's game prevented Reader from immediately building on momentum after his two-sack outing against the Bears. But he has been what the Lions envisioned him being alongside Alim McNeill, as Pro Football Focus' 26th-highest graded defensive tackle entering Week 15 with a matching top-30 pass rushing grade (69.4) at the position. He has set his career-high with three sacks.

In regard to if he will play against the Bills on Sunday, Reader was concise in the assessment he gave Birkett.

"I’ll be out there thugging," Reader said. "I’ll be out there Sunday thugging, so I'm good."

Of course a player saying he'll play and what the final injury report of the week says after the situation is fully assessed can be two different things. But expect Reader to suit up on Sunday, in the latest biggest game of the Lions' season, barring something unforeseen.