Just last week, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was unsure if defensive lineman DJ Reader would suit up in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, while also noting that the original plan was to target Week 2 for his debut.
However, on Wednesday morning, Campbell opened the door for Reader to play in the season-opener on Sunday night, saying that "there's a chance" the 30-year-old would play.
“There’s a chance, I would say,” Campbell said, according to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit. “This week is what we had really circled to get him the bulk of true football. This was his first real padded (practice), going against — not just individual and doing some walkthrough. Like, man, he’s in team (drills). We had him do some team defense, but also run some scout team, too. Going against Frank (Ragnow) and Graham (Glasgow) and (Kevin) Zeitler, and just get his confidence up, bang away in there, and really take it day-to-day.
“So, yes, there’s still a chance. I’ll know more probably after tomorrow than I do right now. He’s doing well. He’s doing well.”
Reader, who has been working his way back from a torn quadriceps injury suffered last season, was activated off the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 25 and made his return to practice the same day.
If he does suit up, chances are the Lions are going to have Reader on a pitch count in his first game back. But Reader playing is probably 50/50, at best. We'll have a better idea of where he stands when the Lions release their injury reports over the next few days.
Reader inked a two-year, $22 million deal with the Lions in free agency and will form an impressive duo up the middle with 2023 breakout player, Alim McNeill.