Lions-Cowboys inactives: Nick Fairley out for Detroit

Earlier in the week, the Detroit Lions suggested that a miracle was needed for defensive tackle Nick Fairley to play against the Dallas Cowboys. Fairley did return to practice this week on a limited basis, but his return to game action will have to wait until next week at the earliest. That's because there was no miracle, and Fairley is inactive for Sunday's playoff game.

To Fairley's credit, he seemingly worked quite hard to get on the field, and he even tried to convince the coaches to let him play on Sunday.

Nick Fairley campaigning with #Lions coaches to play. If he does, Lions would have 3 No. 1 picks on DL vs #Cowboys 3 No. 1 picks on OL

— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) January 4, 2015

Unfortunately for Fairley, his season, and perhaps his time with the Lions, will be over unless Detroit advances to the divisional round of the playoffs with a win on Sunday. Fairley is set to become a free agent after the season, so unless the Lions beat the Cowboys and keep their season alive, it's possible that he has played his final down with this team.

In any case, here's the full list of inactives for the Lions:

QB Kellen Moore
WR Ryan Broyles
OG Larry Warford
DE Larry Webster
DT Nick Fairley
DT Caraun Reid
CB Josh Thomas

And here are the Cowboys' inactives:

QB Dustin Vaughan
OT Doug Free
OT Donald Hawkins
DE Kenneth Boatright
LB James Anderson
LB Keith Smith
S Jakar Hamilton