Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley expects to return to organized team activity practices next week, and when he does, he should look lean and mean.

At his annual charity kickball tournament, Fairley told the Detroit Free Press his offseason workouts and diet program have him down to 295 pounds, 27 lighter than he finished last season.

"I'd say I'm back to my Auburn ways," Fairley told the Free Press. "I feel like back when I was at that national championship, and you know how that year went so looking to repeat it."

Fairley weighed 291 pounds at the NFL's scouting combine in 2011, months after finishing up a dominant campaign for the Tigers. In 14 games he racked up 60 tackles (24 for a loss), 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. The Lions selected him No. 13 in the first round

In the pros, Fairley has shown flashes of that dominance, but has struggled with injuries and inconsistency. He's coming off his best season in 2013, registering 22 tackles and six sacks.

Fairley will be looking to return to the practice field after missing the previous two weeks of OTAs. He confirmed to the Free Press he underwent surgery to correct his sleep apnea. The procedure, performed through the nose, is designed to help the patient sleep better at night.

Earlier this offseason, the Lions declined a fifth-year, team-option on Fairley's contract, making him a free agent after this season. The team's two other top defensive tackles, Ndamukong Suh and C.J. Mosley, are also in the final year of their contracts, but Detroit continues to actively pursue a long-term extension with Suh.

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