The Cincinnati Bengals are in the course of necessary minicamp, and whereas there may be a variety of follow footage popping out of Paycor Stadium, one notable face that has been lacking is defensive deal with DJ Reader.

In accordance with Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson, that’s as a result of he’s coping with gout in certainly one of his toes, however that he’s anticipated to be prepared for coaching camp later this summer season.

Gout, in line with the CDC, is a type of inflammatory arthritis that may be very painful and sometimes impacts the large toe joint. When victims of gout have flairs, the signs usually embrace swelling, intense ache, redness, and burning. Gout may also go into remission and is brought about when there may be an excessive amount of uric acid within the physique as a consequence of a situation known as hyperuricemia.

Reader being held out of minicamp is only a precaution, and never price studying an excessive amount of into, however, as USA Immediately’s Chris Roling identified, Reader missed all however 5 video games in 2020 after which missed seven video games throughout the common season in 2022. Nevertheless, when Reader is within the recreation, he’s a dominant pressure in the course of the sector towards the run.

Reader had a PFF general defensive grade of 85.2 in 2022, which led the Bengals protection. His 85.2 general defensive grade was the seventh highest within the NFL amongst inside defensive linemen, behind solely Chris Jones, Dexter Lawrence, Aaron Donald, Quinnen Williams, Cameron Heyward, and Michael Pierce (Pierce solely performed in three video games in 2022). Reader is coming into the final yr of his contract with the Bengals.

PFF just lately mentioned Reader is their ninth-ranked defensive deal with within the NFL, and an anticipated extension is predicted to run someplace within the three-year, $48 million vary.

Keep tuned for extra updates on Reader because the story develops, however hopefully, there isn’t any story.