While OTAs (organized team activities) are not mandatory it's probably a good idea to be there if you want to make an impact on the team and show you are ready to play in the NFL.

Defensive tackle Nick Fairley, along with Louis Delmas, were the only Detroit Lions absent on Tuesday. Participation has been nearly 100 percent minus Delmas who is rehabbing near his home in Miami.

That made Fairley’s absence more noticeable.

“It’s voluntary. He chose not to be here and it’s voluntary,’’ Schwartz said.

 The coach was pressed for details and wouldn’t budge altough he indicated that the absence was not injury related.

 “I don’t want to comment on anybody’s attendance because I think that you start crossing the line when it comes to stuff that’s voluntary and involuntary,’’ Schwartz said. “If you start posting who has been here when and stuff like that, he wasn’t here today. We work with the guys that are here and the guys that are here are working very hard.”

Fairley is entering his third season with the team. He showed flashes last season, but his consistency has been an issue. The first-round pick in 2011 had legal trouble in the offseason a year ago. Probably the best way to make it up to the coaches would be to be on the field at practice.

Schwartz has addressed Delmas' absence, saying he's keeping in touch with the team while rehabbing. 

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