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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.