Lions' Jim Caldwell: 'It'd be a miracle' if Nick Fairley plays vs. Cowboys

Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said Monday "it'd be a miracle" if defensive tackle Nick Fairley plays Sunday vs. the Dallas Cowboys.

Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said Monday "it'd be a miracle" if defensive tackle Nick Fairley plays in Sunday's NFC Wild-Card game vs. the Dallas Cowboys, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Fairley has missed the Lions' last eight games after spraining two knee ligaments in a Week 8 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in London. Yet Caldwell, according to the Free Press, said the Lions don't plan to place Fairley or also-injured right guard Larry Warford on injured reserve to make room for center Dominic Raiola, who will be reinstated from his one-game suspension on Monday.

Warford injured his knee in the Lions' 30-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and his status for the playoff game has yet to be determined.

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Fairley, 26, recorded 14 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in the eight games he appeared in this season.

According to Mlive.com, Caldwell said "it's a possibility" that Fairley could return in the next round of the playoffs should the Lions win on Sunday.

Fairley is in his contract year after being a first-round pick of the Lions in 2011. He has recorded 98 tackles and 13.5 sacks over his four seasons, and did not play a full 16 games in any.

- Mike Fiammetta