There were many concerns surrounding Auburn DT Nick Fairley leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft. In fact, such concerns are precisely why he fell to the Lions at No. 13 overall. (For the record, we loved the pick.)

One of those concerns wasn't "injury" necessarily, but it's already become a problem for the Lions just a few days into the 2011 season, as Fairley's at Lions practice with a walking boot on his left foot after injuring it in drills Monday.

"It's not [a big setback] at all," Fairley said, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free-Press. "I'm doing whatever I can do to get ready to get back as soon as I can."

Yes, it would be safe to wonder when exactly "as soon" as he can will be. Well, all Fairley could offer was, "really don't know yet."

Lions coach Jim Schwartz was a little less vague.

"Still doing some tests on him and having a lot of different people look at his stuff, but he's down for now, and we'll see what happens," Schwartz said, also per Birkett.

The walking boot isn't the end of the world, of course, and it's probably better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a first-round investment like Fairley especially just 24 hours after his injury.

But concern will certainly arise with respect to Fairley's conditioning if the injury lingers and/or he's not available soon after the injury. That isn't necessarily a reflection on him, but it's how things work with NFL and the expectations that come along with being a first-round pick who slips because of work-ethic concerns.

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