Aiming for early-season debut, Lions' Reader finding ways to make an impact as rehab enters home stretch

Allen Park — Through the first week of training camp, no defensive lineman has been lingering longer on the field after practice to work on their technique than Levi Onwuzurike.

After two seasons of back trouble, and a third cautiously gaining confidence the pain and discomfort were in the rearview mirror, it feels like Onwuzurike isn’t going to take anything for granted, that he’s driven to fulfill the potential that made him a second-round draft choice for general manager Brad Holmes three years earlier.

As Onwuzurike begins the post-practice routine, teammate DJ Reader is by his side, watching intently and offering critique every few reps. And it’s not just Onwuzurike; it’s every defensive tackle, some of the pass rushers, and even the occasional offensive linemen.

Caged to the sidelines by a lengthy rehab for the torn quad suffered at the end of last season, helping others is how Reader is fitting in during his first offseason in Detroit. It’s allowing him build a connection with new teammates before he has the opportunity to line up alongside them.

And with the way things are tracking, that shouldn’t be much longer.