Byrd (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Byrd will likely hop right in as a starter alongside Kenny Vaccaro, but the Saints may monitor the three-time Pro Bowler's snaps. Although his track record from Buffalo is superb, Byrd has played just 15 games since the start of 2013 and four games since the beginning of 2014. He needs to re-prove that he's a useful IDP outside of very deep leagues.

Byrd (knee) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, ESPN's reports.

Though he's yet to log a full practice, Byrd is expected to make his 2015 debut Sunday night. Despite the name recognition, a wait-and-see approach makes sense in IDP leagues, and there's no guarantee Byrd is still the same player who earned Ed Reed comparisons in Buffalo.

Byrd (knee) was limited in practice Thursday.

This marks the second consecutive day in which Byrd has logged a limited practice, but it remains to be seen if he'll assume his starting spot at free safety, if he's deemed active Sunday against the Cowboys.

Byrd (knee) is out for Sunday's game in Carolina.

Byrd will miss a third straight game to start the season, but he still hasn't been ruled out beyond Week 3. Kenny Phillips will likely get another start alongside Kenny Vaccaro.

Byrd (knee) is out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Still unable to practice, Byrd will miss a second straight game to open the season, leaving Jamarca Sanford as the likely starter next to Kenny Vaccaro. The New Orleans secondary is in bad shape.

Byrd (knee) didn't practice Thursday.

Byrd has yet to practice this season, but his absence, along with Rafael Bush's (chest) presence on injured reserve, has forced the Saints to trot out a supbar secondary to say the least. While the team hoped that Byrd might be able to return for Week 2, his lack of any practice reps to date are whittling away at that assumption. If he remains sidelined Sunday against the Buccaneers, Jamarca Sanford is the likely candidate to line up next to strong safety Kennny Vaccaro.

Byrd (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season opener in Arizona, the Saints' official site reports.

Rafael Bush will fill in as the starting free safety, but the Saints hope to have Byrd available as early as Week 2 or 3. Though his surgically-repaired knee is reportedly doing better, Byrd didn't participate in practice this week.

Byrd (knee) will likely miss the Saints' season opener, but is expected to be in the lineup as early as Week 2 or Week 3, Ed Werder of ESPN.com reports.

Byrd, who tore his meniscus early in the 2014 season, has experienced swelling in the knee all throughout training camp. Despite not taking a single snap in training camp, the team decided not to place him on the PUP list so he can return to action any time. With Byrd likely out for Week 1, Rafael Bush is in line to get the start at safety against Arizona.

Details about Byrd (knee) have been scarce, but his health is reportedly "rapidly improving" and he should be seen "soon," according to a tweet by the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Saints obviously think Byrd's health is on the mend, as they decided not to place him on regular season PUP list, which means he can return to practice at any point. If Byrd went on the PUP list, he wouldn't count against the roster, but also wouldn't be able to practice for six weeks. Still, the timetable for Byrd's return isn't clear. He didn't take a single snap during training camp and has not practiced since June 17. He has not been even seen at practice in a month. The Saints will return to practice on Wednesday and also release their first injury report that day, which may shed some light on Byrd's status, but it is presumed that safety Rafael Bush will be the Saints' Week 1 starter in Arizona.

Byrd (knee) may be a candidate for the regular-season PUP list, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.

Saints head coach Sean Payton has relayed optimism throughout training camp, yet Byrd still hasn't been able to practice. If he's placed on the regular-season PUP list, the three-time Pro Bowler will be ineligible for the first six games of the season, leaving Rafael Bush as the likely starter next to Kenny Vaccaro.

Byrd (knee) still has not practiced during training camp, but head coach Sean Payton told reporters on Wednesday that Byrd remains on schedule and the team has a goal of getting him back during the preseason, reports Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.

Byrd, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last October, participated in most of the Saints' OTAs and minicamp earlier this summer, so it remains possible that the Saints' are simply being cautious with their starting safety's health. It is disconcerting, however, that he has not even been seen at practice lately. It is too early to panic, as there are still three preseason games to go, but fantasy owners in IDP leagues may want to at least start considering alternatives, including safety Rafael Bush, who would be the presumed starter if Byrd was forced to miss time in the regular season.

Byrd, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last October and has been on the preseason PUP list, is progressing well and could return soon according to coach Sean Payton, ESPN.com reports.

"I think sooner than later, we're gonna get a chance to see him. But at the same time, we're gonna be smart," Payton said of Byrd. Payton's words are optimistic yet still unclear as to just how soon Byrd will be able to play. After participating in most of the Saints' OTAs and minicamp earlier this summer, the team is being cautious with their starting safety's health.

Byrd (knee) has been paced on the Saints' preseason PUP list, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Though Byrd suffered a season-ending knee injury last October, he was able to see limited work during the Saints' summer workouts, with the report suggesting that the safety's preseason PUP designation may be precautionary.

According to head coach Sean Payton, Byrd (knee) is a few weeks away from being at full strength after suffering a season-ending meniscus tear in his knee last year, reports Fox Sports. "He's doing well," Payton said. "His rehab is on schedule. He'll be cleared for minicamp. We're looking at about 2 or 3 weeks from him being 100 percent."

Byrd's 2014 season ended in Week 4 prematurely, but even before his injury, the Saints' big offseason signing struggled at times. Still, with 22 interceptions in his first five NFL seasons in Buffalo, there's hope that Byrd can rebound in his second season in New Orleans, making him a decent sleeper option in IDP leagues.

The Saints have placed Byrd (knee) on IR, the team's official site reports.

With Byrd -- who tore his meniscus in Thursday's practice -- out for the season, the New Orleans Times-Picayune indicates that Rafael Bush is slated to move into the Saints' starting free safety spot in place of Byrd, going forward.

Byrd made seven tackles (six solo) and defended one pass in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys.

Byrd laid some big hits on Dallas' offensive players but he also took some poor angles in coverage and in attacking ball carriers. He also has yet to intercept a pass, a major disappointment through the quarter pole of the season after he made 17 picks in the last four years. It's still likely best for fantasy owners to remain patient with Byrd while he learns a new defensive system in New Orleans after missing much of training camp, especially since he continues to post decent tackle statistics for a defensive back.

Byrd made six tackles (five solo) in Sunday's win against the Vikings.

Byrd has been somewhat of a disappointment for IDP owners thus far, as he's managed 15 tackles but has yet to pick off a pass and only has one pass defended through three games. The tackle total is right on pace with Byrd's average over the last few years - he averaged 87 tackles per season from 2010 to 2012 - but fantasy owners expected more in pass defense, as he snagged 17 interceptions over the last four season. Still, Byrd missed most of the training camp and preseason following offseason back surgery, so it may take some time for him to become acclimated in a new defensive system in his first year in New Orleans. As such, it may be wise to remain patient with the talented defender.

After undergoing back surgery in May, Byrd made his preseason debut for the Saints, racking up one tackle in Saturday's exhibition contest against the Colts.

The ball-hawking Byrd has a chance to form one of the elite safety tandems in the league with Kenny Vaccaro. As a true free safety, Byrd's IDP value will be more closely tied to his ability to make plays on the ball in the air, compared to Vaccaro, who is expected to play closer to the line of scrimmage and should be one of the team leaders in tackles. Still, Byrd has proven to be no slouch in the tackles department, averaging 87 stops per season from 2010 through 2012 in Buffalo.

Byrd (back) is expected to make is Saints' preseason debut Saturday against the Colts, ESPN reports.

Byrd has been practicing on a limited basis since being activated from New Orleans' PUP list three weeks ago, but Tuesday marked the safety's first full-contact action since undergoing back surgery in May. With minimal restrictions left, the Saints are expected to start Byrd in Saturday's exhibition outing, although his playing time will probably be closely monitored. Nonetheless, it'll be good for Byrd to gain game experience in defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme before the regular season kicks off, as Byrd and rising second-year player Kenny Vacarro figure to comprise one of the league's premier safety tandems.

The Saints removed FS Jairus Byrd (back) from the active/PUP list.

Byrd underwent back surgery in May, shortly after inking a six-year, $54 million deal. Tuesday will be his first practice with the team. Byrd and sophomore Kenny Vaccaro will form one of the most imposing safety duos in the league.