Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley is introduced before an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo) Nick Fairley's up-and-down year could take another downturn today if the former Williamson High School standout is unable to play for the Detroit Lions.
The Lions visit the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL game at 3:05 p.m. today, and Fairley missed the entire week of practice. The defensive tackle left Detroit's Sunday night loss to the Green Bay Packers late in the game with a shoulder injury, and he's listed as doubtful on this week's injury report, although Fairley has said during the week that he will play if he can.
The injury comes at a particularly inopportune time for Fairley, who has been playing his best football since the Lions took him out of Auburn with the 13th pick of the 2011 NFL draft.
Once he got into the starting lineup for the Lions six games ago, he's been a handful for opposing blockers. Fairley's performance also has seemed to spark better play from another high draft choice, fellow defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, the second selection in the 2010 draft who has seen his stats spike since Fairley began lining up beside him.
Most of the low points this year have come off the field for Fairley, although he was fined $15,750 by the NFL on Dec. 7 for a horse-collar tackle of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck on Dec. 2.
Fairley was charged with DUI along with eluding police and carrying an open container after being arrested May 27 in Mobile. He was driving at nearly 100 mph when the police attempted to pull him over. He was sentenced to a six-month suspended jail term, a year of probation and a $600 fine after pleading guilty to the DUI charges Sept. 26, but he's appealed the case to Mobile County Circuit Court, hoping the guilty plea will allow him to join a pre-trial diversion program that would eventually lead to the charges being dismissed.
He had marijuana charges from an incident in Mobile in April dismissed last week.
His DUI incident hit home with Fairley after the Dallas Cowboys' Josh Brent was charged with intoxicated manslaughter after a wreck on Dec. 8 resulted in the death of teammate Jerry Brown.
"Everybody looks at the situation (in Dallas) and knows we're truly blessed," Fairley told John Kreger of CBSSports.com. "I thank God that I was truly blessed to come out of (his own drunk driving incident), and I pray for the guys that were in the (Dallas) situation."
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