New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley has been placed on NFL season-ending Injured Reserve because of a heart issue.
In March, the 29-year-old lineman signed a four-year contract worth $28m with half of it guaranteed.
But Fairley consulted with at least three specialists in the off-season, with Saints coach Sean Payton saying at least one suggested Fairley end his career.
The Saints are not required to pay Fairley his $1m base salary this year because his injury was not football-related.
Fairley was diagnosed with an enlarged heart before being made a first-round pick by Detroit in the 2011 NFL Draft. He has passed physicals for three different teams over six seasons.
Last season, Fairley made 43 tackles and 6.5 quarterback sacks over 16 games for the Saints. He has 170 tackles and 20.5 sacks in 77 career games with the Saints, Lions and then-St Louis Rams.
