Lou Anarumo Open to Adding Impact Player Along Defensive Line: 'More The Merrier'

Lou Anarumo met with the media at the 2024 NFL Combine and had some good thoughts on the Bengals' defensive line situation as B.J. Hill sits alone on the interior when viewing major contributors under contract.

The Bengals' defensive coordinator noted DJ Reader's rehab appears to be going well and he's hoping to see the big fellas return.

"I know he's another guy that's been in there every day working hard and I don't know the exact timeline yet, but I'll let the let Duke (Tobin) and his crew work that out and hopefully it works out good for us," Anarumo noted.

Cincinnati may benefit from aggressively pursuing another option even if Reader can return. 

The defensive line was at its best under Anarumo in 2021 when it had three strong defensive tackle options to attack offenses.

"You look at the teams that go far (in the playoffs)," Anarumo said. "Obviously, great quarterbacks, but dominant defensive lines are kind of a theme as we look forward. So we've got pieces in place for sure. That year it was great to have Larry (Ogunjobi) and that rotation of three and really Josh (Tupou)  would come in and he was a fourth and we'd rotate with those guys. So yeah, the more the merrier. If we add D tackles, I'd be a happy guy."