READER GIVES LIONS VERSATILITY

Veteran defensive lineman DJ Reader is set to make his Lions debut this week and his presence inside will not only be a big boost for the Lions against the run and pass, but with Davenport’s uncertain game status for Sunday, Reader’s return also gives the Lions’ front some versatility and options.

“Him coming back now really opens up a little more versatility that we have at the D-line because really, between (Kyle) Peko, and (Alim McNeill) Mac, Levi (Onwuzurike) and (Josh) Paschal, they can all play anywhere from the nose, three-technique, to the big end,” Campbell said. “So, they’re all going to share that load a little bit if Davenport couldn’t – or, is not going to be able to go.”

The lowest rushing total in a game for the Lions last year came Week 6 against the Bucs when they had just 40 yards on the ground. The Lions went into that contest with a plan to throw the football, and they expected that plan to get the win in Tampa Bay, but Campbell said they will try to establish the run better this time around vs. the Bucs.

“Now, last time we played them, we came out of the game with 15 runs and yeah, we won, but that’s not near enough,” Campbell said. “We’ve got to find a way to establish the run this game, we have to. So, we’ve got to lean on the run game.”

In the playoff game against the Bucs, Detroit did a better job, running for 114 yards on 26 carries (4.4 avg.). Detroit averaged 5.3 yards per rush last week in the win over the Rams on 163 total rushing yards and 31 attempts.