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Nick Fairley | Defensive Lineman

Team: Detroit Lions
Age / DOB:  (25) / 1/23/1988
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 298
College: Auburn
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Teammate Stephen Tulloch is impressed with Lions DT Nick Fairley's offseason.
"He’s slim, he’s focused, and he’s about his business," Tulloch said of Fairley. "He’s going into his third year, he’s taking a step, he’s grown as a player, he’s put all that negative stuff behind him, and he’s moving forward." According to Tulloch, Fairley talks about going to the Super Bowl "every day." If Fairley can stay healthy and keep his head on straight, he has All-Pro ability. Apr 19 - 10:58 AM
Source: Detroit Free Press

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Coach Jim Schwartz says the Lions are going to "rely even more" on DT Nick Fairley this upcoming season.

Fairley had an outstanding 2012 sophomore season that saw him register 34 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, but he played in just over 500 defensive snaps due to injury. The top defensive tackles participate in about 900 snaps a season. Fairley has also started just seven games in two years. That's going to change with Corey Williams and Sammie Lee Hill now out of the picture.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Mar 24 - 10:09 AM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Lions DT Nick Fairley is ineligible for a pre-trial diversion program on charges stemming from his May 2012 arrest for DUI.

That's because the court had already dropped misdemeanor marijuana charges against the trouble-making defensive tackle. He's now at the court's whim. Fairley will still likely avoid jail time, but it's not a guarantee.
Source: Detroit News
Mar 22 - 12:19 PM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Lions players voted DT Nick Fairley the team's most improved player following his breakout 2012 season.

The 13th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Fairley improved from 15 tackles and one sack to 34 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his sophomore NFL season. Pro Football Focus graded Fairley as the fifth best defensive tackle in all of football this past season. He was one of the few bright spots during a tumultuous 2012 season for the Lions' organization.
Jan 11 - 4:43 PM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Lions placed DT Nick Fairley (shoulder) on injured reserve, ending his season.

Fairley finally flashed difference-making ability over the second half of the season, racking up 23 tackles and four sacks over his last five games. It's an encouraging development for the Lions with Corey Williams set to hit free agency this offseason. Fairley will return as a building block next to Ndamukong Suh.
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 11:16:00 AM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Lions DT Nick Fairley (shoulder) has missed practice all week and is officially doubtful for Week 15.

It's looking extremely unlikely that Fairly suits up against the Cardinals. Fairley suffered a shoulder injury with two minutes to play in the Lions' loss to the Green Bay Packers last weekend. Sammie Hill is expected to start in Fairley’s place alongside Ndamukong Suh on Sunday, and the Lions re-signed Andre Fluellen for insurance earlier this week.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Sat, Dec 15, 2012 10:52:00 AM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Lions DT Nick Fairley is undergoing tests after injuring his shoulder late in Sunday night's loss.

Fairley got shaken up near the end of Detroit's 27-20 loss, though it's unclear how many plays he missed. Fairley has a long injury history, but not with his upper body. For now, he should be considered questionable for Week 15.
Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter
Mon, Dec 10, 2012 02:34:00 PM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Prosecutors in Mobile, Alabama dropped a misdemeanor marijuana charge against Lions DT Nick Fairley.

Prosecutors couldn't prove that the marijuana and herb grinder in Fairley's Cadillac Escalade were his. He still faces a felony charge of driving under the influence from a May incident where he was driving over 100 mph in Alabama.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Tue, Dec 4, 2012 01:14:00 PM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Coach Jim Schwartz isn't ready to commit to Nick Fairley as the starter over Corey Williams going forward.

Fairley has emerged as Detroit's most disruptive defensive player over the past month while Williams has battled a lingering knee injury. "There's not a whole lot of distinction between who the starter is and who is not," Schwartz said. Fairley played a career-high 62 snaps versus the Texans in Week 12.
Related: Corey Williams
Source: MLive.com
Fri, Nov 30, 2012 10:21:00 AM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Nick Fairley is getting a second consecutive start at defensive tackle on Monday night for the Lions.

Fairley started in Week 6 against the Eagles while Corey Williams was injured. Williams has returned for the Bears game, but Fairley will draw another start next to Ndamukong Suh. The 2011 first-round pick dominated the Philadelphia game, beating double teams and disrupting Michael Vick to cause both of his interceptions. Fairley offers more pass rush ability, too.
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 08:31:00 PM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

According to MLive.com, Nick Fairley finally "delivered the type of dominant performance" expected of a first-round pick against the Eagles in Week 6.

Starting in place of an injured Corey Williams, Fairley beat double teams to cause both of Michael Vick's interceptions. Fairley had his way with Dallas Reynolds and Danny Watkins, racking up the Lions' highest run defense and pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus.
Source: MLive.com
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 03:27:00 PM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Nick Fairley continues to run as the Lions' third defensive tackle.

Fairley, who is still facing a suspension from the league office, remains behind starters Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams. The Lions are likely disappointed that last year's No. 13 overall pick hasn't passed Williams yet. He struggled with conditioning at the start of camp and continues to lack maturity, according to defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 09:08:00 AM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed he's considering disciplining Lions DT Nick Fairley.

Since last season ended, Fairley has been arrested for DUI and marijuana possession in separate incidents. The DUI trial will be heard on August 14 while the pot charge has been pushed back to November 27. It's unclear if Goodell will act before both cases are settled in court.
Source: Associated Press
Thu, Aug 2, 2012 03:17:00 PM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Lions DT Nick Fairley will plead not guilty Thursday to DUI and attempting to elude police stemming from a May 27 incident.

It's just a legal formality, as Fairley's attorney attempts to broker a plea deal to get the charges reduced. Fairley has been arrested twice this offseason -- once for the DUI and again on April 3 for second-degree marijuana possession. We'd be shocked if he were eligible to play in the regular season opener.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 07:51:00 PM
Nick Fairley - DL - Lions

Nick Fairley's agent insists the Lions' defensive tackle has "learned from" his recent arrests.

"That won't happen again, but that's one of those things you just don't say, you just kind of let your play and your behavior kind of speak for itself," Fairley's rep said. Fairley was riddled with character concerns coming out of Auburn, so it certainly wouldn't be wise to assume the lightbulb has gone off until he's proven so both on and off the field. The Detroit Free Press believes Fairley could be facing "at least" a two-game suspension.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Sun, Jun 3, 2012 09:35:00 AM

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K1David Akers
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