The Detroit Lions are set to sport an impressive duo up the middle of their defense in 2024. On top of having Alim McNeill, who is coming off a breakout season, the Lions added veteran D.J. Reader.
Expectations are high for the duo, and not just from fans and media. McNeill had one word to describe what he expects from himself and Reader this coming season: destruction.
"In my head, it just looks like destruction to me, honestly," he said, per The Athletic's Colton Pouncy. "There’s no other way I can see it. Every time I close my eyes and visualize it, I just see destruction."
The only concern with the pair is Reader's ability to stay healthy, something he has struggled with over the past four seasons. The veteran is coming off a campaign in which he tore his quad in Week 15, and he hasn't been able to take part in work during the offseason program.
On Thursday, head coach Dan Campbell revealed that Reader's status for the start of training camp is up in the air. When training camp begins next month, Reader will be seven months removed from suffering the injury.
If Reader can stay healthy and return to the level of play he's known for, and if McNeill can build off his impressive 2023 campaign, this duo is going to be a problem for opposing offenses all season long.
