Veteran defensive lineman DJ Reader is 'trending up' toward making his Detroit Lions debut Sunday, and that has defensive line coach Terrell Williams pretty excited about the defensive front moving forward.
"It's a good, physical group and when you add DJ, the neighborhood gets a little tougher," Williams said. "We're excited to get him."
Detroit's defensive front harassed Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford last week to the tune of 27 pressures and 12 hits – but only two sacks – and that was without the services of Reader, who was inactive as he's still working his way back into form after sitting out all training camp rehabbing a quad injury.
This week's matchup at Ford Field against the Bucs was always the target date to get Reader back in action. It's a pretty formidable group with Reader and Alim McNeill inside and Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport outside. Hutchinson, Davenport and McNeill combined for 10 quarterback hurries, eight quarterback hits and two sacks against the Rams. Now add Reader to the mix and that has the potential to be a really disruptive group against both the pass and run.
"When you have big guys on the edge that can crush those tackles and then you have guys in the middle that can push, then now we basically build a box around the quarterback and it's hard for him to throw," Williams said. "I know we had two sacks in the football game (last week) but we affected the quarterback, and if we can do that every week, then I think we'll be in good shape."
Reader talked with the media after practice Wednesday about his rehab process and looking forward to playing with the team.
"It's a hell of a process," he said. "I'm feeling good and just excited to get out there and play the game that I love with the guys. This is my first opportunity to just get in the stadium and be around the boys and just get after it."
"It's a group of special players. I think our whole D-line group as a whole has a lot of special guys that do different things very well. It'll be fun to be out there with everyone, man, just getting that first time to spend with a healthy group."
ROSTER MOVES
Detroit made a couple of roster moves ahead of their first practice of the week Wednesday.
They signed defensive lineman Kyle Peko to the active roster from the practice squad. Peko was one of two allotted practice squad elevations for the Rams last week. He recorded a tackle, tackle for loss and quarterback hit playing 37 reps.
The team also signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph and defensive lineman Chris Smith to the practice squad. Joseph, who has played in 67 career games and is 100-for-121 (82.6 percent) kicking field goals over five career NFL seasons, gives the Lions some veteran insurance at that spot.
GAMEDAY DECISIONS
Third-year edge rusher James Houston was inactive for Sunday's game against the Rams. Head coach Dan Campbell said that decision really came down to using Houston or an extra defensive back. For the Rams, he chose the extra defensive back.
"So, what's going to bring more to you and what plays into that, and special teams is a big one," Campbell said. "What about injury in other areas? So, maybe you need the insurance. Some of it is, what kind of production is that going to bring or how many snaps is he going to get?
"I mean he's here, he's working, we'd love to get him up if the possibility presents itself or the opportunity presents itself, and so we'll just take it as it comes."
COMPETITION AT WR
Last week wide receiver Tom Kennedy was one of two practice squad elevations on gameday. He played four snaps on offense and six on special teams and didn't record a tackle or target.
Will it be Kennedy called up again this week, or potentially someone else?
"All of those guys are competing," Campbell said. "That's why when you're on the vet squad, every day you put in the work and our eyes are open. I told them all that last week and so we're paying close attention to (Tim Patrick) and (Allen) Robinson as well. So, all options are on the table, and we'll just take it as it comes."
Lions quarterback Jared Goff targeted only Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown from the receiver room Sunday night.
EXTRA POINT
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are considered 1A and 1B in Detroit's backfield and their usage in the Week 1 win over the Rams verifies that. Montgomery ended the game strong in overtime with six carries for 60 yards and the game-winning touchdown. When it was all said and done, Gibbs played 31 snaps and Montgomery 30. It keeps both players fresh.
