Nick Fairley is coming off a career year with the New Orleans Saints. He played in all 16 games for the first time in his career and recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks. The 29-year-old bounced back after a poor one year stint with the Rams where he recorded 1.5 sacks in 15 games played.
The Saints saw Fairley’s improvement and gave him a 4 year, $28 million dollar deal on March 9, 2017.
As preparation for the ’17-’18 season ramps up, Fairley is nowhere to be seen. He has been absent during the organized team activities (OTAs) that began May 23 due to a heart condition. The Saints have a mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 13-15 and Fairley’s return date is unknown.
Jennifer Hale, an NFL sideline reporter for FOX, first reported his absence via Twitter.
Saints DT Nick Fairley has been absent from OTA’s bc of medical issues. Tests show heart trouble that could jeopardize future of his career.
— Jennifer Hale (@JenHale504) June 3, 2017
According to Brian Overstreet, Fairley’s agent, Fairley has not seen a doctor recently and stated: “He’s good, just doing his own thing.”
Ian Rapoport, National Insider for NFL Network and NFL.com, stated Fairley has been undergoing tests.
#Saints DL Nick Fairley had a heart condition that came up in his pre-draft physical. The one being checked out & tested now is the same one
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2017
Along with being absent, Fairley hasn’t been answering his phone lately.
According to Mike Garafolo, national reporter for NFL Network and NFL.com, Fairley’s teammates haven’t heard from him.
Adding to @JenHale504 on Nick Fairley: Teammates who speak to him regularly haven’t been able to get a hold of him, sources say.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 3, 2017
Fairley’s heart condition was first discovered in his pre-draft physical in 2011. He played with it through college and six seasons in the NFL.
According to Dr. David Chao, former head team physician for the San Diego Chargers for 17 years, Fairley’s career is not in jeopardy. In an article for The San Diego Union-Tribune, he wrote:
“Chances are excellent that Fairley’s career is not over and the headlines are overstated.”
If Fairley’s career is over, it would be a huge blow as his career was trending up.
Fairley spent his first four seasons with the Detroit Lions and saw a dip in production his fourth season. He was demoted to second-string defense because he was out of shape. His weight reached 315 pounds and his teammates were questioning his work ethic.
He signed a 1 year, $5 million dollar deal with the Rams in 2015 after the Lions let him walk and played poorly. The Saints turned his career around and he had a new home.
I think Fairley will be fine. Unless something tragic happens, this is most likely a precautionary move and Fairley will return to the team sooner than later.
