"Lions rookie Nick Fairley practiced Wednesday for just the second time since he fractured his left foot Aug. 1, but the defensive tackle's status for Monday night's game against the Bears remains up in the air.

"(He's) getting better," coach Jim Schwartz said. "Improving every day, and we'll get him back as soon as we can."

Fairley has not played since undergoing foot surgery in training camp. He returned to practice Sept. 23 and took part in one period of individual drills, then sat out all of last week, working behind closed doors with trainers."