Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley has acknowledged that he gained weight and that's one reason why he lsot his starting job.

Now, he wants to win it back and surpass C.J. Mosley on the depth chart.

The 2011 first-round draft pick is aware it's time to turn it on.

“Really what I plan on doing is just continue to get better as a player and help this team win and just go out there and play my [tail] off,” Fairley said.

Fairley unconvincly denied that he's disappointed about being benched.

“No, no, no, not at all,” Fairley said. “Hey, I’m a team player. I’m here to help this team win, and I’m trying to be the best teammate I can.”

Added defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said: “Nick is more athletically gifted than me, and he has an opportunity to be better than me, and that’s what I want to see out of him.”

Fairley has work to do to achieve his potential.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun