DJ Reader’s status in Week 1 uncertain as Lions field two defensive quarterbacks for opener

On Saturday, the Lions signed defensive end Chris Smith to the active roster and elevated defensive end Kyle Peko from the practice squad. Nothing is set in stone until the inactives are declared, but overall, it’s not a good sign for Reader’s availability. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

None of the veterans Detroit signed after cut day will make their debuts either. Detroit’s third and final move of the day was to move practice squad wide receiver Tom Kennedy to the active/inactive list.

Smith is a second-year linebacker out of Notre Dame who was signed as a free agent by the Lions and spent all of last season on the practice squad. Peko signed with the team this offseason as a free agent and surprised many by being released on cut day before signing back to the practice squad shortly after.