Sprint against Bills illustrates Reader’s extra gear
Hustling downfield, Texans defensive lineman D.J. Reader took off on a dead sprint in pursuit of Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary.
Reader initially charged into the line of scrimmage to try to get to quarterback Josh Allen during the Texans’ overtime playoff victory. When Allen connected on a short pass to Singletary, Reader didn’t give up on the play, redirecting his energy to give chase down the left sideline.
Reader was moving.
It was an extraordinary effort for a player of any size, but especially a 6-3, 347-pound nose tackle/defensive end. Safety Mike Adams eventually pushed Singletary out of bounds after a 38-yard gain, and the defense later made the Bills turn it over on downs.
“I want to point out one play: Down the opposite sideline, D.J. Reader must have ran at least, from where he was in the backfield, probably about 50 yards,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “You’re talking about a big man that gave unbelievable effort on that play, and then Mike Adams did a good job of using the sideline, and they were able to get the guy down on the ground. That’s another example of D.J. Reader and effort that he plays with, and that was a big play in the game.”
Reader was huffing and puffing a bit after running so fast and so far, but not so badly that he needed to come out of the game.
Reader has dramatically upgraded his stamina through increased cardio and gotten leaner through a more disciplined diet that has incorporated more lean proteins and vegetables.
“That was a long way. It was not that enjoyable,” Reader said. “Boy, that was rough. It was a good play. I was just trying to win a game, just scratching and clawing. Everybody is doing what they can trying to win a game. It’s the playoffs.”
Dividing his snaps between his natural nose tackle spot and defensive end in the Texans’ 3-4 scheme, Reader recorded 52 tackles during the regular season. He had a career-high 2½ sacks and six tackles for losses.
Reader had six tackles in the wild-card playoff game.
“D.J. Reader has had a really good year for us,” O’Brien said. “He does a lot of things that, you’re right, don’t show up on the stat sheet. He’s an excellent inside defensive tackle that plays the run very well. He gives us some juice in the passing game.”
The value of Reader has skyrocketed in the final year of his contract. Reader has proved he’s worthy of an extension or, potentially, being designated as the Texans’ franchise player. The Texans and Reader are nowhere close to a new deal at this time, though, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
A Pro Bowl alternate this year, Reader could be shooting for recent defensive tackle deals that include those of the Falcons’ Grady Jarrett ($68 million, $17 million per year), the Bengals’ Geno Atkins ($65 million, $16.3 million per year) and the Titans’ Jurrell Casey ($60.5 million, $15.1 million per year).
Given a choice, Reader wants to remain with the Texans.
“Oh, you know I love it here,” Reader said. “I love the fans. I love the organization. They gave me my first real job. I love the city. People love me here. Hopefully, that opportunity comes around.”
If the Texans are unable to reach an extension with Reader, they can secure his services for 2020 by using the franchise tag. That would cost roughly $16 million.
Business isn’t on Reader’s mind right now, though. He’s focused on the Texans’ AFC divisional-round playoff game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Man, I’m not even thinking about it,” Reader said. “I just want to go out there and play ball and try to win us a championship.”
Reader’s mauling presence helped make up for the long absence of his friend, defensive end
J.J. Watt, who returned Saturday from a torn pectoral.
Reader is capable of wrecking blocking schemes with his rare blend of power and quickness.
“It’s great playing with D.J.,” Texans middle linebacker Benardrick McKinney said. “He’s a great friend on and off the field. He’s a very unselfish player. He does a lot for the defense. He helps the linebackers stay clean. He’s a great player and a great athlete.”
The Greensboro, N.C., native has excelled ever since replacing retired Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork. This has been his best season.
“I feel like it’s all right, it’s been pretty good, just playing with my teammates,” Reader said. “Trying to be a leader, being a better teammate, being a better guy around the locker room, that’s a big focus for me.”
On Sunday, the Texans’ defense has its work cut out for it against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a gunslinger with one of the strongest, most accurate arms in the game.
“You don’t want to give him any clear throwing lanes,” Reader said. “He’s a really good quarterback. He makes some good throws on the run on the move. He can make any throw. You just try to cause as much chaos as you can.”