Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was voted the Chuck Hughes Most Improved Player by his teammates.

In 13 games this season, Fairley finished with 34 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He was placed on injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 9.

A first-round pick in 2011, Fairley suffered a broken foot during training camp his rookie year. The injury hindered him all season and he finished with just 15 tackles and one sack.

According to the team's media guide, the Chuck Hughes Award is presented to the player who, because of hard work and determination,

showed significant development and improvement during the past year.

Hughes, a wide receiver,

played two seasons with the Lions (1970-71). He is the only NFL

player to have died during an NFL game, suffering a fatal heart attack

against Chicago at Tiger Stadium on October 24, 1971.

Below is a list of previous winners of the Chuck Hughes Most Improved Player Award:

1997 Johnnie Morton, WR

1998 Richard Jordan, LB

1999 Germane Crowell, WR

2000 Bryant Westbrook, CB

2001 Cory Schlesinger, FB

2002 Dominic Raiola, C

2003 Shaun Rogers, DT

2004 James Hall, DE

2005 Scottie Vines, WR

2006 Stanley Wilson, CB

2007 Stephen Peterman, G and

Keith Smith, CB

2008 Daniel Bullocks, S,

Dan Orlovsky, QB, and

Ramzee Robinson CB

2009 DeAndre Levy, LB

2010 Drew Stanton, QB

2011 Matthew Stafford QB