Saints Players React to Report Nick Fairley's Heart Issue Has Career in Jeopardy

With reports emerging that defensive tackle Nick Fairley has a heart condition that could jeopardize his career, per Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com, his teammates offered their support on Wednesday.

"All I keep doing is praying for him and keeping him in my prayers," defensive end Cameron Jordan told Katzenstein.

He added, "Honestly, I don't know too much about the situation. I do know, I guess he's had it all his life, so I can only look forward to him taking the field again and being back to wreaking havoc."

Defensive end Darryl Tapp also spoke about the situation.

"If the stories are true, just thinking about him being healthy as a person," Tapp said. "That's the more important thing."

He continued:

"It sucks because I've seen his career kind of go full circle. I saw him as a young guy in Detroit. He went to St. Louis and then linked back up with him (last) year. He has a new little one in his life, a little child, so seeing his mind frame just change and him become the player and the man that he is now, it was awesome to see. So (I'm) being prayerful for him and for his family going forward and hoping everything works out."

Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reported on June 4 that Fairley had missed the team's OTAs this offseason and hasn't been in contact with his teammates (h/t Cindy Boren of the Washington Post). General manager Mickey Loomis confirmed to Katzenstein via a text message, "He is being evaluated medically," though Ian Rapoport of NFL.com noted that Fairley has played seven years with a heart condition.

Fairley, 29, signed a four-year, $28 million deal this offseason after accumulating 43 tackles (nine tackles for loss) and 6.5 sacks in an excellent 2016 season. He was expected to pair with second-year player Sheldon Rankins in the middle of New Orleans' defense to give the team a stout pair of defensive tackles.

Now, however, Fairley's health has become the more pressing concern.