Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd has given himself more than enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season after signing his one-year, $6.9 million franchise tender Tuesday night. The signing comes after the two-time Pro Bowler missed all of the teams off-season workouts, and nearly all of training camp. Buffalo will hold its final practice in suburban Rochester on Wednesday afternoon before returning to its headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y. A person familiar with Byrds plans told The Associated Press that the player is not in the Buffalo area and intends to join the team within the next couple of days. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills have only announced that Byrd has signed. The person added Byrds decision to sign the tender came without any assurances from the team that it wont apply the tag again next off-season. The Bills have the option to do that once more to prevent Byrd from testing free agency. Bills president Russ Brandon has only said the team will continue its attempt to sign Byrd to a long-term contract once it is allowed to after the season. The two sides failed to reach an extended deal before a July 15 deadline. The timing of Byrds signing should not come as a surprise. The move was made to give Byrd enough time to assure him of collecting his entire salary. Had he waited another week, the Bills -- under NFL rules -- could have been put in a position to ask the league for a one- or two-week roster exemption, during which time Byrd would not have been paid. That option is now off the table, with Byrd having two weeks to prepare for the Bills opener against New England on Sept. 8. Byrd, a second-round pick out of Oregon in 2009, has 18 career interceptions -- tied for the NFLs third-highest total since 2009. Byrd is expected to be a focal point of the teams new scheme under defensive co-ordinator Mike Pettine. Speed and versatility have been the foundation of Buffalos defence and the team has used a variety of pressure packages this preseason. That approach would appear to play to Byrds strengths by creating opportunities for him in the secondary. Byrd is not expected to play in Buffalos third preseason game Saturday against Washington and its uncertain if he will be ready to play in the teams preseason finale Aug. 29. Earlier on Tuesday, general manager Doug Whaley said Byrd will have some work to do to learn the new system. "A lot of its just installation and the mental part of it," Whaley said. "Its a new system, its an intricate system and safeties do make a lot of calls so hes missed that. ... So hes going to have some ground to make up but hes a professional. I know hell come in here ready to work and try to contribute as much as possible." When Byrd returns, its expected that he will replace third-year pro DaNorris Searcy in the secondary. Former cornerback Aaron Williams has impressed since making the switch from corner to safety this off-season and is listed as the teams top strong safety on the depth chart. Byrd is Buffalos top free safety. Byrd was Buffalos most consistent defender in 2012 and was added to the Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement. He led the Bills with five interceptions and four forced fumbles and finished fourth on the team with 76 tackles. The three players ahead of him on that list -- George Wilson, Nick Barnett and Kelvin Sheppard -- are no longer with the team. Roberto Alomar Jersey . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. Dalton Pompey Jersey . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. http://www.authenticbluejayspro.com/blue-jays-michael-saunders-jersey/ . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. Marco Estrada Jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Aaron Sanchez Jersey .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Austin Gahafer threw three touchdown passes to lead Morehead State to a 56-6 victory over Division II Lincoln on Saturday night.Gahafer was 22 of 35 for 258 yards, moving to second all-time at Morehead State in career passing yards. Ryan Watkins ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns, and Adarius Barnett added 82 yards and a TD run for the Eagles (1-2). Trevor Jones scored on a 39-yard punt return in the first quarter, and Lawson Page capped the scoring with a 6-yard TD run.GGahafer threw a 49-yard touchdown strike to Jake Raymond, who had five catches for 68 yards.dddddddddddd Raymond needs 38 more receptions to become the all-time leading receiver in the Pioneer League. Jalen Elliott and Joby Embrey also caught touchdown passes.Stephen Scott bullied in for a 1-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter for the Lions only score. Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys Store China Jerseys Wholesale Stitched Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2019 Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '