Is Detroit Lions CB DJ Reed playing today vs. the Buffalo Bills?

The Detroit Lions (1-0) need all hands on deck in order to slow down Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills (1-0) on “Thursday Night Football.”

A four-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s 2024 MVP, Allen opened 2026 by passing for 334 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Bills‘ 36-31 road win at the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, the Lions‘ secondary surrendered 410 passing yards and three touchdowns to New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough in Week 1.

Lions starting cornerback D.J. Reed‘s status has been in question throughout the week. Reed’s name popped up on the Lions’ Tuesday practice report as a limited participant. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound corner was then listed as questionable on Wednesday.

As Thursday night’s prime-time matchup nears, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler shared good news on Reed’s status.

“D.J. Reed, corner who’s questionable, I’m hearing is expected to play, so that’s a good sign for the Lions who will treat Dalton Kincaid, the tight end, and DJ Moore as really co-No. 1’s. They feel like both of those guys can have dominant stretches, so they’re going to have shades against each one defensively. James Cook, watch for him tonight, too. The Bills say they want to get that running game recharged after just 13 carries last week,” Fowler said.

Fowler also said that Detroit plans to be selective with when and how they pressure Allen.

“The Lions are going to be selective with when they bring pressure and blitz Josh Allen, because I spoke to safety Chuck Clark. He said that Josh Allen is seeing the field probably better than he ever has in his career. He knows exactly where to go with the ball, where his outlets are. So he said, you’ve got to be smart when you bring pressure. Now, luckily for the Lions, they have a vaunted defensive line. Aidan Hutchinson and those boys had so many pressures last week against the Saints. So, they’ll blitz selectively, let those guys handle the rest,” Fowler said.

Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.

Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 2: at Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 17, 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.

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Week 3: at New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 4: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 4, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Week 5: at Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 11, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 25, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Nov. 1, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 9: at Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 8, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 10: vs. New England Patriots (International game in Munich, Germany), Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

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Week 12: vs. Chicago Bears (Thanksgiving Day game), Thursday, Nov. 26, 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

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Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

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Week 14: vs. Tennessee Titans , Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings , Sunday, Dec. 20, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Week 15: vs. New York Giants, Monday, Dec. 28, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Week 17: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 3, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Week 18: at Green Bay Packers, TBD (Potential NFL Flex eligible game)

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