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Detroit Lions sign run-stuffer D.J. Reader — their 4th key defensive addition of offseason
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- Detroit Lions sign run-stuffer D.J. Reader — their 4th key defensive addition of offseason
The Detroit Lions had the NFL's second-ranked rush defense last season, and there's reason to believe they'll be even better in 2024.
The Lions signed nose tackle D.J. Reader to a two-year deal on Thursday, NFL Network reported , the fourth significant addition they've made to their defense this offseason.
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At 6 feet 3 and 335 pounds, Reader was considered one of the best run stoppers available in free agency and should start next to Alim McNeill in the middle of the Lions defensive line this fall.
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Cincinnati Bengals nose tackle D.J. Reader sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the second half of Super Bowl 56 on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
He had 34 tackles and one sack last season, but finished the year on injured reserve with a torn right quad tendon . He also tore his left quad in 2020, and missed six games with a knee injury in 2022.
The Lions hosted Reader, who turns 30 in July, on a free agent visit and for a physical Thursday. He told Cincinnati reporters after the season last year's quad injury was not as bad as the one he suffered in 2020, which required a six-month rehab.
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"It feels a lot better early in the stages," he said, via The Athletic . "I can make muscles after surgery immediately. It feels really good. I feel pretty good in my progression right now. It's three weeks out of surgery. I'm excited. This one laid down a little bit more. It kind of stayed, didn't retract as much. Theoretically it's not as bad, I guess."
The Lions return McNeill, Aidan Hutchinson , Josh Paschal and John Cominsky on a defensive line that had one of the highest pressure percentages in the NFL last season, but let backup edge rushers Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris test free agency and did not tender nose tackle Benito Jones a contract as a restricted free agent.
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On Monday, they agreed to a one-year deal with defensive end Marcus Davenport , and traded for cornerback Carlton Davis and signed corner Amik Robertson in free agency.
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Reader, a fifth-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2016, spent the past four seasons in Cincinnati, where he had 123 tackles, three sacks and started all 44 games he played.
He was a two-time captain for the Bengals and ranked 11thout of 130 interior defensive lineman by Pro Football Focus last season, when he had 10 quarterback pressures, the second-most of his career.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him @davebirkett .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions sign D.J. Reader, top run-stuffing defensive tackle
