Nick Fairley Injury Update: Lions Defensive Tackle Out 4-5 Weeks

By Patrick Schmidt | Oct 27, 2014

Sep 21, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Nick Fairley avoided a season-ending knee injury and will reportedly only miss four-five weeks with a knee injury suffered in the Detroit Lions win against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday

The Detroit Lions were not very optimistic about the prognosis of defensive tackle Nick Fairley after he hurt his knee in the first half of their game against Atlanta on Sunday after he collided with teammate Ndamukong Suh while they rushed Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and had his right leg bend awkwardly and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

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A stretcher was initially brought on the field to take Fairley off the field, but later walked off the field with the assistance of the trainers before being carter to the locker room for further medical evaluation.

However, according to ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright, Fairley avoided a season-ending knee injury and will be out four-five weeks, although the full extend of the damage to his MCL and PCL is not known and there is no firm timetable for a return.

Full extent of MCL/PCL damage to Nick Fairley's knee still not known. Source said the hope is he can return in 4 to 5 weeks.
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) October 27, 2014

After the game Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said, “I’m not quite certain where he is right now. But obviously, when you’re carried off the field, it’s not the greatest news. We’ll see what the doctors say about him.”

Fairley was arguably having the best season of his career as he seeks a long-term deal from the team and has been an integral part of the NFL’s No. 1 total defense that is allowing 290.4 yards per game, the only team allowing fewer than 300 yards per game as the Lions sit in first place of the NFC North with a 6-2 record.

The Lions have their bye this week, so Fairley could only miss three games if his recovery is on the short end. If he needs more than the minimum of four weeks to return to the lineup, the earliest target date for his return could be the Thanksgiving day game against the Chicago Bears.

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