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Nick Fairley still doesn't know if he'll be able to return this season, but he's staying positive about the possibility.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- Nick Fairley is making clear strides in his recovery from a knee injury, but the Detroit Lions defensive tackle remains unsure if he'll return to the field this season.

Fairley was in the locker room on Wednesday walking with a mild limp, but without the aid of crutches for the first time in weeks. The typically boisterous giant was smiling and joking around with his teammates. Those are all positive signs, according to Lions coach Jim Caldwell.

"You can also see when (an injured player is) starting to make some headway," coach Jim Caldwell said. "You see them starting to liven up a little bit. He's off those crutches and walking around. You hear him, which is comforting. He's doing better."

Fairley is at the facility daily, attending team meetings and splitting four hours between the weight room and rehabbing his knee. He feels he's come a long way since suffering the injury Oct. 26 against the Atlanta Falcons in London, but he can't say for certain he'll be back this season.

"We're working on it with training staff, but I don't want to come out there and say 'yeah, no' because we just don't know yet," he said.

Even though he couldn't rule out eventually needing surgery, Fairley's outlook remains positive. He said he's in a great place mentally and remains confident he'll be back out there this year.

"In my eyes, yes," he responded when asked if coming back this season was realistic.

Another great sign for the Lions is Fairley has stayed on top of his weight. Not only has he avoiding packing on the pounds since being sidelined, he's down a few, telling reporters he recently weighed in at 292.

"It's pretty hard, but I'm staying on top of it with my chef, eating healthy, being in the weight room with (trainers) Jason (Arapoff) and Ted (Rath), just doing whatever I can," Fairley said.

The one thing Fairley is trying to block out is his impending free agency. He wants to get back on the field to help the team with the playoff push, but there's a risk to returning too soon and further damaging his knee. It could kill his value on the open market.

"I can't avoid thinking about it," Fairley admitted. "It's going to be here. It's going to come about. I just have to put it on the back burner. I can't think about it as much as I want to. I just have to wait until that time comes."

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