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D.J. Reader Optimistic About Bengals In Second Season: ‘We’re In A Really Good Place’

D.J. Reader was one of the Cincinnati Bengals’ prized free agent acquisitions last year, the organization moving away from their blueprint and spending heavily on outside free agents for a change. Signed to the largest contract in NFL history for a nose tackle, he was expected to make an immediate impact for a defense looking to re-establish its identity as a physical group.

Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury just five games into his Bengals career, limited to only 259 defensive snaps. He still finished the year with 19 tackles, including one for a loss, and two passes defensed.