Last season we had to wait until Week 2 of the regular season to see veteran defensive lineman DJ Reader take the field in his first season with Detroit. He was rehabbing a quad injury all through camp.
This time around Reader’s been taking part in camp since Day 1 in his second season in Detroit and he’s made his presence felt in the middle alongside first-round pick Tyleik Williams. His presence was particularly felt Friday in the first padded practice of camp as he pushed the pocket multiple times and stuffed a few runs, even drawing loud praise from head coach Dan Campbell on one rep.
“First day of pads is always fun,” Reader said. “It’s fun to just get your movements and things out the way. I think more so you just get to see what you’re about first day. It’s all about how you respond and how you get better.”
The Lions ranked fourth in the NFL last year in total pressures from the interior of their defensive line with 132, but that was with team leader in that category Levi Onwuzurike, who they wont have in 2025 because of a torn ACL. They’ll need Reader, Williams, Alim McNeill when he gets back, Roy Lopez, Pat O’Connor and others to step up and be a force inside.
Reader had 3.0 sacks and eight quarterback hits in 15 games last season and those numbers could improve significantly if defenses have to contend with a healthy Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport along the edge for an entire season.