Bengals Clear Defensive Tackle for Practice

The Cincinnati Bengals should finally have their dominant run stuffer back on the field this week. The team announced that it had designated defensive tackle DJ Reader to return from the Reserve/Injured list, rendering him eligible for practice.

We have cleared DT DJ Reader to return to practice.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 14, 2022

Reader has been unavailable since suffering a knee injury in the Bengals' Week 3 27-12 win over the New York Jets. He had totalled 10 tackles in his three appearances this year, earning a sterling 91.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus for his efforts.

Reader's return should provide a boost to a 5-4 Bengals team as they ramp up to the playoffs. After an ugly 0-2 start to the season, the Bengals have rounded into form of late. They rank sixth in points scored per game and they've allowed the 10th fewest yards per game. Reader should help an already solid defense jump a level.

Reader initially joined the Bengals as a free agent in 2020. He has been consistently impressive for the team when available, but injuries have cost him 18 games over the past three seasons. If his bad luck is behind him, he'll be a real difference-maker for the Bengals over the back half of the season.