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Detroit Lions DT DJ Reader feeling good, will 'be out there thugging' vs Buffalo Bills
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- Detroit Lions DT DJ Reader feeling good, will 'be out there thugging' vs Buffalo Bills
It could be a Super Bowl preview, and DJ Reader doesn't want to miss it.
Reader returned to practice Thursday, one week after missing the Detroit Lions ' win over the Green Bay Packers with a shoulder injury, and told the Free Press he plans to play in Sunday's showdown with the Buffalo Bills .
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"I'll be out there thugging," Reader said. "I'll be out there Sunday thugging, so I'm good."
Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) signals teammates before a play against Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.
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Reader injured his shoulder late in the Lions' Thanksgiving win over the Chicago Bears and was one of three defensive linemen who missed last week's game against the Packers.
Josh Paschal (knee) and Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday . Paschal was full go Thursday, while Onwuzurike remained limited.
Reader was limited in practice Thursday after warming up in uniform Wednesday then working on the side with trainers during individual drills.
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Defensive tackle Alim McNeill also was full practice after clearing concussion protocol. He missed the second half of the Packers game but will play Sunday.
Outside linebacker Trevor Nowaske did not practice Thursday because of a brain injury and will miss the Bills game.
The Lions have won 11 straight and have the best record in the NFC at 12-1. They lead the NFL in scoring offense, while the Bills (10-3) rank second in total points and have MVP favorite Josh Allen at quarterback.
"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."
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Dave Birkett is the author of the new book " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline."
Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions DT DJ Reader: 'I'll be out there thugging' vs Buffalo
