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Former Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader to sign with the Lions

kelsey conway, cincinnati enquirer
·1 min read
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) leaves the game with a right leg injury in the first quarter of the NFL Week 15 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings at PayCor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) leaves the game with a right leg injury in the first quarter of the NFL Week 15 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings at PayCor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle and team captain DJ Reader is headed to Detroit as the Lions reportedly offered him a two-year deal worth $27.25million.

Reader, 29, tore his quad for a second time in his career and ended the season on injured reserve. In four years with the Bengals, Reader started 52 games and logged 123 tackles, 20 quarterback hits and three sacks. As one of the first players head coach Zac Taylor signed early in his tenure, Reader played a critical role in the rebuild that's taken place in Cincinnati.

With Reader now out of the picture, the Bengals will have to find a player to replace Reader's production in defending the run game. Cincinnati is reportedly interested in defensive tackle Teair Tart as they hosted him for a visit on Thursday. The Bengals also agreed to a two-year deal with defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins this week. Rankins sacked quarterback Joe Burrow three times when Houston beat Cincinnati at Paycor Stadium last season.

Reader signed a four-year deal worth $53 million in 2020 with the Bengals after his career started in Houston.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader to sign with the Lions