The Detroit Lions held their breath on Sunday after star cornerback D.J. Reed had to be carted off the field in the team’s dominant victory over the Cleveland Browns. The high-priced free agent, signed to a $48 million deal, exited late in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and did not return. Head coach Dan Campbell quickly admitted he doubted Reed would be available next week, leaving fans worried about his status.
While no official test results have been revealed yet—meaning the exact recovery timeline is still unknown—Reed may have hinted at encouraging news through his own social media activity.
Following the game, the 28-year-old defensive back posted on X: “This the life I prayed for”, attaching both pregame and in-game photos. Reed also added heart and prayer emojis, which gave supporters a hopeful sense that his situation might not be as severe as initially feared.
Known for his openness and honesty, Reed rarely hides his emotions. If he truly believed the injury would sideline him for an extended stretch, he likely would’ve shown more concern in his messaging. Instead, his tone suggested confidence that he’ll be back on the field sooner rather than later.
Reed was brought in during the offseason to replace Carlton Davis III, and through four weeks he has largely lived up to expectations. Before Sunday’s setback, he had allowed just eight catches on 11 targets for 88 yards without giving up a touchdown. While his overall Pro Football Focus coverage grade sits at 60.4, he flashed his upside with a 78.9 mark against Baltimore in Week 3 and had earned a 70.4 this past weekend before being carted off.
His steady improvement has been a bright spot for Detroit’s defense, and the hope is that his momentum won’t be completely derailed. The Lions secondary is already stretched thin after rookie Terrion Arnold went down with a shoulder injury against Cleveland, meaning depth will be tested heavily in the coming weeks.
More clarity on Reed’s health should arrive shortly. If his condition does force a stint on injured reserve, general manager Brad Holmes may be forced to explore the trade market for help ahead of the November 5 deadline. For now, though, Reed’s post has at least given Detroit fans reason to stay optimistic.
