Detroit Lions still unsure when Nick Fairley will return

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley has been out indefinitely with a significant knee injury that was once called an MCL and PCL sprain, but the nature of the injury continues to be unclear. It’s been over a month since Fairley last played, as he suffered the injury in the Week 8 London win over the Atlanta Falcons. Fairley’s injury has been a tough loss for one of the league’s best defenses, since he was playing some elite run defense with solid pass rushing mixed in.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell stated that he still isn’t sure when the talented DT will return, and he isn’t even sure if the former Auburn star will be able to return this season. He said, “Same thing I said a few weeks ago, I’m not real certain, to be honest with you.”

We can only hope Fairley will be able to return at some point this season, especially since the Lions have their eyes set on some sort of a playoff run. Fairley didn’t put up gaudy numbers in the first half of the season, but it was clear that he was playing the best and most consistent football of his career after the Lions did whatever they could to motivate the former first-round pick. Even with the injury accounted for, Fairley has put himself in a position to make  solid cash this upcoming offseason, though it would probably be better for him to bank on his talent and take a prove-it deal for the 2015 season.