The Detroit Lions signed DJ Reader to a two-year deal on Thursday, but a big question remained about his availability. Reeder suffered a torn quad in a Week 15 game in December, and because it is a very serious injury, many wondered if he would be ready for the start of the 2024 season.
In his introductory news conference with the Detroit media, Reeder sounded confident he would be ready by the start of the season.
“I expect to be there,” Reeder said. “I expect to be there at the start of the season. I expect to be ready. I don't want to put days like this or things like that on myself, but I expect to be there. I don't know what everyone's expectations are, but I hold myself to a high standard as a person and as a player.” I know I'm going to go in there and grind every day.
The reader has a lot of confidence in the rehabilitation process for a reason; He's done this before. In 2020, he suffered a torn quadriceps in his other leg. And while it happened very early in the season (Week 5), he was not only able to get healthy enough to start next season, but enjoyed one of the best years of his career in 2021.
“The last quad injury, I came back, I went to powerYou got a sack in the Super Bowl, balled up, right? said the reader. “It's the same confidence here. That's why I tell you, never let people paint a vision of what you see in the mirror. Don't let anyone paint your image. You know who you are. You see it every day. Look at yourself, you know who you are, feel confident in “That. I couldn't be more confident about where I'm going to be.”
The Lions must have felt similarly because after giving him a medical on Thursday's visit, they immediately signed him to a two-year deal worth a maximum of $27.5 million. Now, with a formidable defensive line that adds Reeder to Aidan Hutchinson, Aleem McNeil, and the recently added Marcus Davenport, the veteran nose tackle is ready to hit the ground running.
“I think being here and feeling the energy here is definitely a place people want to come to get better, and that's from top to bottom,” Reeder said. “Everyone in this building seems to have an agenda to get better.”
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