Fairley (illness) was released by the Saints on Monday, Nick Underhill of The Baton Rouge Advocate reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fairley's career was put on hold in the summer following the reveal of a heart condition that kept him sidelined for the entirety of the 2017 season. His release likely puts a stamp on his six-year NFL career. Fairley's name may stay in the news, however, as he recently filed a grievance against New Orleans relating to contractual obligations.

Fairley, who was placed on the reserve/Non-Football Injury list last June after he was revealed to have a heart condition, is uncertain to seek medical clearance to play during the 2018 season, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis indicated last week that there hasn't been any talks regarding Fairley's contract and future with the team, and that the two sides have no timetable to reach a resolution on the matter. Fairley, who signed a four-year contract with New Orleans last March that included an $8 million signing bonus and $14 million guaranteed, never played a down with the Saints after the condition was discovered. As a result, the Saints are seeking to recoup the money owed to Fairley, with an arbitrator likely to determine if Fairley needs to return the signing bonus or negotiate a settlement between the two sides. The 30-year-old potentially seeking medical clearance from doctors would add another wrinkle to the negotiations.

Fairley (illness) was placed on the Saints' reserve/non-football injury list, effectively ending his 2017 campaign, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fairley's future in the league has been put into serious question due to his heart condition, as he will be sidelined for the entire 2017 season. It comes just a year after the 29-year-old recorded career highs with 43 tackles (29 solo) and 6.5 sacks across 16 games in New Orleans. A devastating blow for the Saints defense, David Onyemata and Tony McDaniel will now be the frontrunners to replace Fairley on the line. At this point, it seems like the safest option for Fairley is to hang up the cleats for good.

Fairley is waiting on a third opinion on his career threatening heart condition, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

While the specifics of Fairley's heart condition aren't all known, at least one doctor who evaluated him advised that he retire. The Saints have expressed concern for the defensive tackle's health, saying they only want him to play if there is complete confidence in his ability to remain healthy. It's unclear when the parties will make a final decision on Fairley's future, but the results of each additional medical opinion could play a large role in the final outcome. Fairley signed an extension with New Orleans in March and, if healthy, is very much a part of the team's future plans on defense.

Fairley has been absent from OTAs due to a heart issue that could jeopardize his career, FOX Sports' Jennifer Hale reports.

EDGE Analysis

The specifics of Fairley's conditioned aren't clear, but he's presumably set to undergo more testing so more details should come to light in due time. The former first-rounder is coming off the most productive season of his six-year career and losing him would throw a wrench in the Saints' plans defensive plans for 2017.

Fairley signed a four-year, $30 million contract with the Saints on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fairley was signed to a one-year deal with New Orleans last season and he produced career-highs with 43 tackles and 6.5 sacks. His deal locks him up with the team through his age 33 season. Expect Fairley to start along the defensive line once again in 2017.

Fairley had 43 tackles (29 solo) and 6.5 sacks in 16 games in 2016.

EDGE Analysis

After back-to-back disappointing seasons in Detroit and St. Louis, respectively, Fairley signed with New Orleans this offseason and returned to being a disruptive force on the interior of the defensive line. In fact, Fairley finished in a tie for fifth among NFL defensive tackles in total sacks in 2016. Fairley is a free agent this offseason, but he should likely start wherever he lands after his bounce-back campaign.

Fairley played 58 of the Saints' 82 defensive snaps in Week 6, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He made three tackles and half a sack against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Fairley now has 3.5 sacks this season, which ranks third in the NFL among defensive tackles. His 19 combined tackles also rank in the top 25 among all defensive lineman. After struggling in limited action his last two seasons in both St. Louis and Detroit, Fairley has been receiving consistent playing time in his first season in New Orleans and is currently on pace to set career highs in both sacks and tackles. While his snap count may be reduced some when rookie first-round pick Sheldon Rankins is activated from IR, Fairley should continue to see enough playing time to warrant owning in deeper IDP leagues based on his impressive early-season performance.

Fairley posted 1.5 sacks to go along withthree tackles Sunday against the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

After not getting to the quarterback over the first two weeks of the season, Fairley has come storming back with 1.5 sacks in each of the last two games. Aside from the sacks, he offers little else as an interior lineman, as he's had exactly three tackles in three of four games to start the season. After recording 5.5 and six sacks, during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, his current total of three sacks easily puts him on pace for a career high. He's a player to keep on IDP watch lists, but his career numbers suggest that he may not be a long-term solution.

Fairley made seven tackles (four solo), including 1.5 sacks, in Monday night's loss to the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

Fairley was one of the few bright spots for the Saints in an otherwise ugly defensive performance on national television. However, his big performance against Atlanta was likely a mirage. In his previous five NFL seasons, Fairley had only one other game in which he had more than five tackles and the big defensive tackle has a career-high of only six sacks, which he set in 2013.