ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- A somewhat svelte Nick Fairley practiced with the Detroit Lions for the first time since injuring his knee in October, and the defensive tackle hopes to play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
Earlier in the week, Detroit coach Jim Caldwell said it would take "a miracle" for Fairley to be available for the Lions' first playoff game since 2011, but on Wednesday, Fairley went out on the field with trainers and did some running and cutting.
They then cleared him to return to practice in a limited fashion Thursday, going through individual drills but not team drills.
"I feel real comfortable," Fairley said. "End of the day felt good. I didn't feel like I had a minor setback or none of that. The knee felt pretty good."
Fairley, who is now down to 290 pounds, would not say whether he thought he would be able to play Sunday for the Lions. Earlier Thursday, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin used the "miracle" term again to describe whether Fairley would be able to play.
When asked whether he believes in miracles, Austin smiled and then said "absolutely."
Austin said that Fairley is not at game-level fitness yet but that his fitness level is good enough. It showed in individual drills Thursday, as Fairley said he beat Detroit defensive end Ezekiel Ansah -- the team's best outside rusher -- in a bag drill.
If Fairley is able to make it back, Austin said he would be in a limited role because Fairley hasn't played since Week 8. But he said keeping him active, even if it means for just a handful of plays, would be worth it if he can get to that level.
"The difference with Nick is that in five to seven plays, he can actually make some game-changing plays," Austin said. "That would be something we weigh when we get a little closer to Sunday."
Fairley, who has 14 tackles and one sack this season, is in the final season of his contract after the Lions declined to pick up his fifth-year option in the offseason. He was the No. 13 pick in the 2011 draft by the Lions.