Bengals DT D.J. Reader to Miss Rest of 2020 Season with Quad Injury

Defensive end D.J. Reader with Houston Texans in 2019. Photo by Maria Lysaker/CSM/Shutterstock (10229036db)

The Cincinnati Bengals got the worst news that they could have received on Monday, learning that the quadriceps injury suffered by D.J. Reader on Sunday will put him on the sidelines for the rest of the 2020 season.

Reader exited the Bengals’ 27-3 loss against the Baltimore Ravens just after the 3rd quarter got underway after tackling running back Gus Edwards. He was carted off of the field and showed signs of visible frustration as he was wheeled away.

While the exact injury diagnosis was not revealed for Reader’s left quad, it is severe enough to mean that he won’t be able to return until 2021.

This is a big loss for the rebuilding Bengals, who made a franchise-record splash of a 4-year, $53 million contract to sign the talented defensive tackle after he left the Houston Texans.

Reader, who had already contributed 18 tackles in 4 games this season before he went down on Sunday, was expected to anchor the team’s defensive line this season.

Instead, Cincinnati will have to look towards such as Christian Covington and Andrew Brown to take over his spot. The team also signed former Chiefs lineman Xavier Williams on Sunday to replace Reader on the 53-man roster.

The 1-3-1 Bengals will now prepare for their Week 6 matchup against the Colts, but without their star defensive tackle.

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