Jairus Byrd Injury: Updates on Saints Star's Knee and Recovery

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 7 

ESPN's Adam Caplan provides an update on Jairus Byrd's injury:

Original Text:

New Orleans Saints All-Pro safety Jairus Byrd isn't going to be on the field again anytime soon.

NOLA.com's Evan Woodbery reports Byrd suffered a serious knee injury in practice Thursday:

Byrd reacted to the news on Twitter as well:

Byrd underwent back surgery and signed with New Orleans as a free agent this past offseason, teaming with physical 2013 first-round pick Kenny Vaccaro to form one of the most intriguing safety duos in the NFL. Although the Saints thrived on defense in 2013 without Byrd, having someone with his playmaking ability at free safety was supposed to add a whole new element to their complex schemes.

Pro Football Talk cited statistics from Pro Football Focus that highlighted how Byrd would be better than his predecessor, current Philadelphia Eagle Malcolm Jenkins:

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan spoke in training camp about how much Byrd would bring to the Saints' defensive backfield, per NewOrleansSaints.com:

"

I think he has unique ball skills. If that ball hits his hands he is going to catch it. But also with that, he is very smart. He can put himself in the plays.  He has just been great all through his career. I think that one thing with (forcing and recovering) turnovers in the National Football League, (is that) these are the best quarterbacks in the world. You have to play your technique. You have to be disciplined, but there comes to a time and point where every turnover is made where a guy has to just go make it.

"

However, ESPN's Adam Caplan notes that Byrd hasn't been as expected:

Byrd had nine interceptions as a rookie for the Buffalo Bills in 2009 and entered this season with 22 for his five-year career. That knack for generating takeaways, along with the physicality and versatility Vaccaro offers, was supposed to allow Ryan to dial up exotic blitzes with confidence that New Orleans would hold it down on the back end.

At least, that was the idea, but the team currently ranks No. 28 in pass defense. They're also tied for fifth for the most points allowed per game and have given up 67 plays of 10-plus yards. 

Byrd being out for the season will hurt a lot. There aren't any proven starters behind him on the depth chart, which makes him arguably irreplaceable in the secondary. Rafael Bush has never established himself as a consistent, reliable starter in the NFL, so asking him to be an impact player as Byrd's replacement is a tall order at this point in the season.

Veteran cornerback Keenan Lewis will have to continue being a strong leader to keep the Saints' pass defense respectable. Former first-round pick Patrick Robinson will also have to step up at cornerback.

Generating quarterback pressure will also be a point of emphasis with Byrd out, which should see Ryan get creative in his play calls.