ALLEN PARK — This year’s training camp for Detroit Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader has been a vastly different experience from his first with the team last summer.
And that’s simply because he’s healthy.
“Oh, way better, man. I wasn’t even practicing last year,” Reader said when asked to compare how he feels now. “For two years... I feel like, out of injury, you feel pretty comfortable. You start to get pretty comfortable with it. Had a really, really good offseason -- time to rest, be around family, really get a proper space to heal. So it’s been good.”
When Reader signed with the Lions last offseason after four years with the Cincinnati Bengals, he was still recovering from a torn quadriceps suffered in a Week 15 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The 31-year-old spent most of last summer on the sideline, walking the field rather than practicing.
He also wasn’t the player staying after practice for nearly an hour to sign autographs for fans on Wednesday. Nor was he the energetic body that’s been a disruptive force over the first few weeks of this year’s camp.
“I think I’ve had some strong, some good days together. Always trying to get better,” Reader said. “There’s things I get frustrated with myself about every day, but that’s part of it. We got a really good team, really good interior guys in the offensive line, so they push me every day.”
A fully healthy Reader at the top of his game is exactly what the Lions need right now, as depth along the interior defensive line is a concern.
Levi Onwuzurike, one of the team’s more versatile linemen, is out for the season with a torn ACL. Alim McNeill, also recovering from a torn ACL, isn’t expected to return until after the bye week. Mekhi Wingo won’t even begin practicing until the regular season is underway.
With key contributors sidelined, Reader knows the responsibility on his plate just got heavier -- especially when it comes to generating pressure from the interior.
“I think I know -- we all know -- we’ve got to step up,” Reader said. “For me, it’s just about getting better. I know it’s something that I can do. This year, I feel a little bit more comfortable being able to be in the defense early, get the plays out, knowing since I’ve been here since OTAs. So I know what plays we’re running, things that are going on, and just the defensive system.
“Being able to see how things fit during camp is always a blessing. So I think guys will get after it, man. We’re just trying to hold onto those guys with that.”
**Reader continues to mentor rookie lineman, cracking jokes along the way**
Fortunately for Reader, he won’t be shouldering the responsibility alone when it comes to the Lions’ interior pass rush. In addition to free-agent signee Roy Lopez, the Lions will also rely on rookie first-round pick Tyleik Williams.
Reader has been praising the former Ohio State standout since the spring, particularly his football IQ and eagerness to learn. He’s been a vocal supporter of Williams while still managing to offer the occasional playful critique.
“He’s smart. He always knows what to do. It’s just, you always got to get on him on whether he does it right,” Reader said. “So it’s just the part about learning as a kid. But he don’t whine, he don’t cry, he don’t (expletive), or feels hard for himself…he doesn’t really complain.
“So he tries to get better, and that’s all you can ask for -- somebody who’s taking their best foot forward every day and really trying to get better, not whining about it. And you have a couple of bad plays here and there -- he’s not dwelling on it. He’s got next-play mentality, and he’s been doing good.”
When asked if Williams is one of the smarter young defensive tackles he’s worked with, Reader commended his organization and note-taking, while sneaking in another lighthearted jab.
“These young guys are tablet guys. I’m a notepad guy. So it’s just fun watching him put things in his tablet,” Reader said. “He’s got hit words that he can just go right into the little search and hit and read. But he’s one of the more organized rookies that I’ve seen, especially when it comes to notes and being detailed about it.
“So that’s good. It’s good to have -- however you get it done, it’s amazing. He always knows the answer, even whether it’s my position, his position -- he’s got a good feel of what’s going on.”
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