Nick Fairley’s fourth NFL season isn’t off to the smoothest of starts.
Fairley, who’s in a contract year, will not start Friday’s exhibition game at Oakland, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Instead, C.J. Mosley will get the call next to Ndamukong Suh in the middle of the defensive line.
The 26-year-old Fairley started all 15 regular season games in which he played in 2013, recording a career-best six sacks. However, his weight reportedly has not been to the club’s liking, and he’s been playing as a backup of late.
According to Twentyman, star Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson won’t play at all at Oakland, with defensive end Ezekiel Ansah also getting the night off.