It's looking highly unlikely that Detroit Lions rookie Nick Fairley will make his debut for the team this Sunday in Dallas.
The Detroit Free Press quoted a person familiar with the defensive tackle's recovery Wednesday as saying that chances were "slim" Fairley would play against the Cowboys.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz wouldn't commit to a date for Fairley to play in his weekly radio appearance on Tuesday.
"He's working hard to get back on the field, and I think that he's going to play a lot of football for us this year. And when he gets back he'll be ready," Schwartz told WXYT-FM (97.1). "And when he'll be ready, he'll be back. I think I'll just leave it there."
Fairley, the 13th overall pick in April's draft, broke his left foot on Aug. 1. He practiced for the first time on Friday, but did not take part in any team drills.