After appearing at practice on Tuesday with a walking boot, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was absent on Wednesday. This is because he was in Charlotte, North Carolina, being looked at by Dr. Robert Anderson, an orthopedic surgeon. Jim Schwartz said this about Fairley's visit to the specialist.

"After he left the field on Monday, we did some additional tests," said Schwartz. "We had some concerns about his foot. He was being seen late during practice, so we haven’t heard (anything). As soon as we hear his opinion and course of action, we’ll let you guys know."

At this point I think it's safe to say Fairley's injury is more than a tweak. It's still not clear if it's something as bad as a stress fracture, but it certainly doesn't seem like a simple injury that he will get over in a few days.

In other injury news, the Lions were also missing the following players from Wednesday's practice: WR Titus Young, TE Richard Dickson, LT Jeff Backus, RT Gosder Cherilus, CB Jack Williams and CB Alphonso Smith. RB Maurice Morris was wearing a cast because he has a "little crack in his hand."