Lions place D.J. Reader, Marcus Davenport, Brian Branch on PUP list to start training camp
The Detroit Lions will open training camp without two of their top free agent additions of the offseason.
The Lions placed new defensive starters D.J. Reader and Marcus Davenport on the physically unable to perform list Sunday, along with returning starter Brian Branch.
Reader signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Lions this offseason and is expected to play nose tackle as part of the team's revamped defense this fall. He sat out spring workouts while rehabbing from the torn quadriceps tendon he suffered last season with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Davenport, who signed a one-year deal with the Lions this spring, was limited to four games with the Minnesota Vikings last season by an ankle injury that required surgery.
Reader and Davenport are two of several new faces the Lions added to their defense this spring. They also traded for cornerback Carlton Davis III, signed cornerback Amik Robertson in free agency and drafted corners Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
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Lions coach Dan Campbell said in June he did not expect Reader to be ready for the start of camp but was hopeful other injured players would not miss any time.
Branch, who underwent what Campbell referred to as "a cleanup" surgery on his leg, and Davenport also sat out workouts this spring.
The Lions hold their first practice of training camp Wednesday, then visit the New York Giants for joint practices Aug. 5-6 and open the preseason against the Giants on Aug. 8.
Levi Onwuzurike played alongside Alim McNeill in the starting lineup at defensive tackle during spring workouts, while Derrick Barnes saw extensive action at the outside linebacker position.
"I would say Reader would be the one who, he’ll be a decision on, at what point is he ready to start practicing?” Campbell said during mandatory minicamp. “But that’s not something that we’re caught off guard by. We knew this would take a minute here. And I would anticipate everybody else to be pretty close to ready; if not, it’s going to be tight."
The Lions also placed rookie fourth-round pick Gio Manu on the nonfootball injury list Sunday.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions place DT D.J. Reader on PUP list to start training camp
