East Rutherford, NJ — Just 2 weeks after signing with the New York Giants, a former Houston Texans star has suffered what he describes as the biggest shock of his career.
During Wednesday’s practice, the defensive tackle unexpectedly suffered a recurrence of his quadriceps injury. He grimaced in pain and had to leave the field midway through the session.
That player is D.J. Reader. Sources close to the team say the Giants coaching staff has already shown clear frustration. Several assistant coaches were overheard complaining about the new signee’s physical condition.
“We signed a contract expecting an immediate contributor, not another injured player,” a source familiar with the situation told ESPN.
Reader, who has only been in East Rutherford for less than two weeks, says he can already feel a noticeable difference in how he is being treated by the coaching staff and teammates.
“They don’t allow me to get injured here,” Reader said emotionally during a private conversation.
He continued: “Even though reinjuring myself is something no one wants, and I can’t control it. When I was in Houston, it felt like a real family.”
During his time with the Texans from 2016 to 2019, Reader never felt humiliated or viewed with suspicion even when he dealt with previous injuries.
“In Houston, they always stood by me, showed patience and trust. Here, I just arrived and already feel like a burden,” he added.
Texans fans quickly flooded social media with messages of sympathy after Reader’s quotes began circulating. Many are calling it an “emotional U-turn” and urging the Texans to bring their former player back home.
Reader was a key contributor and fan favorite during his early years with the Texans and was widely respected for his team-first attitude and durability. His signing with the Giants just two weeks ago was seen as a fresh opportunity after his recent stint with the Lions.
However, the immediate recurrence of the injury has left the Giants visibly upset, making Reader feel unwanted despite the circumstances being beyond his control.
Reader is currently undergoing further medical evaluations. A timeline for his return remains unclear. Sources within the Giants organization say the team is considering all options, including placing him on injured reserve or even releasing him.
Meanwhile, the Texans fanbase continues to post supportive messages for Reader while criticizing how the Giants have handled the situation. “D.J. deserves respect. He bled for the Texans. Don’t treat him like this,” one fan commented.
Although his future in New York has become uncertain, Reader insists he still wants to prove himself — but his heart is clearly still in Houston.
D.J. Reader’s story is a reminder that NFL football is not just about the game, but also about emotion, respect, and how players are treated as human beings.
