Lions add two DTs to Week 1 roster options, hinting at delayed debut for DJ Reader

Defensive tackle and Detroit native Chris Smith has been signed off the practice squad, filling the team’s 53rd roster spot. (Photo courtesy the Detroit Lions)

Allen Park — DJ Reader had an impressive week of practice — his first since being activated off the physically unable to perform list — but despite being listed as questionable for Sunday’s season opener, the Detroit Lions’ roster additions on Saturday point to the 335-pound defensive tackle needing at least one more week before making his debut.

The Lions announced the addition of two defensive tackles to their game-day options for Sunday, filling a vacant roster spot by signing Chris Smith off the practice squad, while also temporarily elevating veteran Kyle Peko from the unit.

Smith is a Detroit native who played for Cranbrook Kingswood before attending Harvard. The 6-foot-1, 315-pounder finished his college career at Notre Dame before signing with the Lions as an undrafted free agent last year and spending a good chunk of his rookie season on the team’s practice squad.

Smith played extensively in the preseason, logging 90 defensive snaps across the three contests, while drawing some praise from coach Dan Campbell last month.

“There will be things on tape that you don’t see,” Campbell said. “He’s tying up guys, he does dirty work, and he does exactly what he’s coached, and he does it over and over and over again. There’s something to be said for that position doing, for example, what he does, but he falls through the cracks if you’re just watching the game.”

Peko’s promotion was the more anticipated move. The veteran joined the Lions this offseason having previous experience playing for defensive line coach Terrell Williams. Peko spent the last couple weeks of training camp filling and thriving in Reader’s spot with the first-team defense.

Assuming Reader isn’t cleared for Sunday, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Peko get the start and draw a significant workload. Before raising hopes regarding Reader’s availability late in the week, Campbell previously said the team had been targeting a Week 2 debut for the free-agent addition.

In addition to the interior linemen, the Lions used their remaining practice squad elevation on a wide receiver, but probably not one people anticipated. Instead of going with one of the three big-bodied options from the unit — Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tim Patrick or Allen Robinson — the Lions will turn to Tom Kennedy to round out the depth chart against the Los Angeles Rams.

Kennedy has spent his entire professional career in Detroit, bouncing between the practice squad and main roster since 2019.

In total, he’s appeared in 20 regular season games, including 19 between 2021-22, tallying 14 catches for 195 yards. More than anything, he brings reliability with his deep understanding of the play book. He can also handle punt returns if the Lions see fit to give Kalif Raymond an expanded role on offense.