Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Tackle to Miss Time

The Cincinnati Bengals will be without their biggest interior presence on defense for an extended period. Esquire's Kelsey Conway revealed Tuesday afternoon that defensive tackle D.J. Reader suffered a knee injury in his team's 27-12 victory over the New York Jets and is expected to miss extensive time.

Significant Bengals news: The initial tests reveal that DJ Reader, who suffered a knee injury against NYJ, will not be back anytime soon. It is not expected to be a season-ender, but the Bengals will be without their star nose tackle for an extended period of time, per source.
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) September 27, 2022

Reader exited Sunday's game following a mere 18 snaps on defense. The mammoth defensive lineman had been a key contributor to a defense that has played well despite the team's 1-2 start: the Bengals rank eighth in yards allowed through Week 3. In his absence, Josh Tupou and Zach Carter will likely see increased snaps next to starting defensive tackle B.J. Hill. The Bengals face the undefeated Miami Dolphins this week on Thursday Night Football.

Reader has forged himself a place in the league as a reliable run stuffer since being drafted by the Houston Texans 166th overall in 2016. He joined the Bengals following his rookie contract expiring in 2020 and has started 23 games for the team since. Listed at a mountainous 6-3 and 347 pounds and grading out at a sensational 91.0 this year according to Pro Football Focus, his unavailability will leave the Bengals with a massive hole at the heart of their defense.