After some hopeful comments from head coach Dan Campbell during the week, it turns out Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader will not play in the team’s opener after all.
Reader will be ruled out of the Lions’ Week 1 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, according to multiple reports on Sunday morning. The veteran nose tackle is not quite ready for the lineup as he gets back in football shape following surgery on a torn quadriceps tendon. He was officially listed as questionable on the final injury report.
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With Reader rendered inactive, the Lions will turn to practice squad promotion Kyle Peko and Chris Smith, who was signed to the active roster from the practice squad on Saturday. Brodric Martin, the regular projected backup nose tackle, is on Detroit’s injured reserve.