Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader reveals setback in injury rehab

Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader remains on the PUP list as the third preseason game looms, as he works his way back from a torn right quad tendon he suffered late last season playing for the Cincinnati Bengals.

In late July, as training camp was getting going, Reader casted some doubt on his status for the Sept 8 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in comments to Kyle Meinke of MLive.

"I don’t know about that,” Reader said. “Just working hard. We’ll see.”

On Monday, Reader hosted a back-to-school event in Detroit for his A Son Never Forgets Foundation. Several Lions' reporters attended. Naturally, he was asked about his rehab progress and what the timetable for his return to action might be.

"No real timetable, but I'm feeling good," Reader said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "I'm feeling good about where I'm at in rehab and running around a little bit. So I'm excited about where I'm at. I don't necessarily have like a day or exactly when (I'll be back), but I'm feeling good though."

Reader also said he was feeling good a little less than a month ago, as expected all things considered.

DJ Reader reveals minor setback in rehab

Talking to John Maakaron of SI.com on the Lone Wolves Podcast, Reader revealed he had a knee scope in June to derail his rehab process a bit.

"The process sucks. I think it got better. It’s starting to get really, really good. All I really know is the work. I don’t really know anything else, Just show up every day and just do it. Every day is a step forward, not a step backwards. That's kind of how I go about it. Kind of had a lull in like June, where things just weren’t shaking the way I would’ve loved and ended up having to get a scope."

Reader confirmed to Maakaron that the scope was on his right knee. That's of course the same leg as the torn quad tendon he's rehabbing. Que the kinesiologists and talk about kinetic chains.

Reader tore his left quad tendon in 2020. He told Birkett his current rehab is "right on track" with that previous rehab. He played in Week 1 of the 2021 season, but he suffered the first injury in October of 2020 and wasn't "able to get rolling until the beginning, middle of camp."

The Lions can remove Reader from the PUP list as late as during roster cutdowns next week, and he can practice immediately. If he stays on the PUP list, he'll miss a minimum of four games and won't be able to practice during that time.

So it may come down to if Reader could play sometime in the first month of the season or not, and if carrying him into the season on the 53-man roster is practical. In any case the Lions have a decision coming on what to do with him, possibly before he ever participates in a practice for them.